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Gov Ododo flags off training for 10,000 health workers to combat malnutrition
Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo has flagged off the training of 10,000 health workers across the state as part of a broad initiative to combat acute malnutrition among children and vulnerable members of the population.
The Governor, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Alhaji Ali Bello during the official launch of the Training of Trainers on Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition (IMAM), reiterated his administration’s commitment to improving maternal and child health outcomes through sustainable nutritional interventions.
According to the Governor, the training forms part of a strategic effort to equip frontline health workers, community volunteers, storekeepers and other relevant personnel with the knowledge and tools needed to identify, treat, and prevent malnutrition in all parts of the state.
A statement by Ismaila Isah, Special Adviser to the Governor Media and sent to Nationwide Reports quoted Ododo to have noted that the first 100 days of a child’s life from conception to the age of two are critical in determining long-term health and cognitive development, stressing that timely nutritional support during this period can be life-saving.
“To deliver on our promises to improve the health of our children, this administration has invested heavily in nutrition and health interventions, including the purchase of therapeutic foods worth hundreds of millions of naira, which will be made available at all referral centres in the state,” he said.
The Governor further announced that three IMAM Stabilization Centres have been approved to handle severe cases in addition to the rollout of community-level outreach to identify and treat malnourished children across all local government areas in the state.
He also directed the Kogi State Health Insurance Agency to absorb the cost of treating children with co-morbidities who appear in referral centres.
Governor Ododo called on, local government authorities, traditional rulers, religious institutions, and community-based organisations to actively support and mobilize their communities especially in targeting children aged six to 59 months, to access nutrition and healthcare services provided by the state government.
“Other key interventions include the establishment of nutrition departments in all line ministries, budget provisions for nutrition programmes, and support for the training of over 10,000 women on homestead gardening with the distribution of improved seedlings and farming tools to boost food security” he added.
Earlier, Chief Medical Director of the Kogi State Hospital Management Board, Dr. Ayo Olayemi described the six-day training on Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition (IMAM) as a crucial step towards reversing poor nutrition indices.
He noted that despite previous investments in child health, malnutrition remains a major challenge in the state, emphasizing the urgent need for a paradigm shift, as championed by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adams Abdulazeez, to ensure improved nutritional outcomes for children in the state.
The Supreme Court of Nigeria will on Thursday, deliver judgments in two cases involving the leadership crises rocking the African Democratic Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party.
According to information on the official website of the court, the matters, listed under “Political Appeals”, have been added to the cause list for Thursday, April 30, 2026.
While judgment in the ADC matter, marked SC/CV/180/2026, has been fixed for 2 pm, there is no time yet for that if the PDP.
President Bola Tinubu has written the Senate, seeking the screening and subsequent confirmation of fifteen nominees to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
The letter was read by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
The letter seeks the reconstitution of the commission’s board in line with statutory provisions with the list comprising nominees from diverse professional backgrounds, including the media and legal sectors.
Among the nominees are the President, Nigeria Guild of Editors and Editor, Vanguard Newspapers, Mr. Eze Anaba; and Dr. Salamatu Hussaina Suleiman, who has been proposed as chairman of the board.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Anthony Ojukwu (SAN) is to retain his position as the Chief Executive Officer.
Other nominees include Mrs Roseline Tasha, Ambassador Adam Yubak Baku, ACG Felix Lawrence, Mr. Edmund Chinonye, Mr. Chinonye Obiaku (SAN), Oluwakemi Asiwaju Okere-Odo, Professor Adedeji Ogunji, Kingsley Chidozie, Mohammed Adelodu, Maupe Ogun Yusuf, and Otunba Francis Meshioye as members.
Also nominated are Patience Patrick and Hawwa Ibrahim, listed as members.
The President said the nominations were made pursuant to Section 2(3) of the National Human Rights Commission (Establishment) Act, 2010, which empowers him to constitute the board subject to Senate confirmation.
He explained that the reconstitution of the board was necessary to enhance the commission’s institutional capacity and enable it to more effectively discharge its mandate to promote and protect human rights across the country.
If confirmed, the new board is expected to play a critical role in reinforcing the NHRC’s oversight functions, particularly at a time of heightened concerns over rights protection and accountability in Nigeria.
Following the presentation of the request, the Senate referred the nominations to its Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters for screening and report within two weeks.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has revealed that it investigated the founder of Streams of Joy International, Pastor Jerry Eze, for six months over suspected money laundering before clearing him.
Ola Olukoyede, chairman of the Commission, disclosed this on Wednesday while speaking at the Jerry Eze Foundation Business Grant Award Ceremony in Abuja.
According to him, the probe was triggered by intelligence reports and petitions after the commission observed large inflows of foreign currencies into the cleric’s domiciliary account.
“We work by intelligence, we work by petitions. At some point, I saw there was an account, a domiciliary account. Dollars, pounds were dropping in like raindrops, from Colombia, from America, from Sri Lanka, even from Togo.
“I said who is this man? Yes, I’ve been hearing about his name, I’ve seen his face a couple of times. I never bothered about what he was doing. I knew he was a pastor.
“So they said this one pastor of streams of joy, go and investigate him. So we went to the investigation. We combed the books,” Olukoyede stated.
The EFCC boss said he subsequently invited Eze for questioning after preliminary findings were compiled by investigators.
He added that upon meeting the cleric and reviewing the findings of the investigation, the commission found no wrongdoing.
“So he came to my office. He told me what happens and all of that, and how the money came, what he does, how he has been helping people, and all of that.
“I said, you know what, I didn’t call you here to explain to me. We have already done our work. I called you here to commend you,” he stated.
The remark drew applause from the audience, as Eze, who was present at the event, acknowledged the commendation.
He noted that the commission has a responsibility not only to investigate financial crimes but also to recognise individuals found to have acted with integrity.
The EFCC chairman, however, stated that the agency would continue to monitor financial activities where necessary, stressing that its preventive mandate remains critical in tackling corruption.
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