Rotary International Offers Free
Medical Treatment In Eleven States
The 14-Man Team, from Rotary International District 3291 and 3240 (INDIA) is on a Medical Mission in Nigeria, covering eleven States of the South-South and South-East Zones. The team will perform surgeries in the areas of ENT, Dental Surgery, Ophthalmology, General surgery and Obstetric/Gynaecology.
A press statement signed by Rotarian (Dr.) Uduak Inyang, District Governor and Rotarian Eddy Uduku, District Secretary made available to our correspondent, stated that the free medical treatments will commence from December 2nd 2009 and it's specifically meant for indigent patients in district 9140 covering the eleven states.
The team, the duo added, would be re-in forced by 10 Nigerian Rotarian Volunteer Surgeons, will have Central Hospital Auchi, Edo State as her base. Rotary clubs in the District are urged to source for, and sponsor (Transportation) of indigent patients to benefits from these free operations by specialists.
“District 9140 of covers the States of Abia, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Enugu, Imo and River States. Interested patients can also report to the nearest Rotary Club in their area to get a referral. Also, the Rotary District is mounting a Rotary Foundation Seminar, to mark the Rotary Foundation Month of November” the statement added.
The Foundation Seminar is billed for Warri, Delta State on 20th /21st November, 2009. The Seminar will updated Rotarians on the activities of the Foundation, the just concluded Rotary's West African Project Fair in Cotonou and Polio Immunization Rotarian from the 92 clubs in the district are to attend.
FG Distributes Textbooks For Pupil/Students
As part of federal Government intervention to states and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to enhance the development of basic education in the country, the First Lady of Federal Republic of Nigeria Hajiya Tura Umaru Yar'Adua flag-off distribution of primary 4 textbooks and assorted library books for junior Secondary schools (JSS) in Abuja.
First Lady who said that every Nigeria child haD the right to be in school and also entitled to the textbooks from his\her school to actualize the Agenda of Mr. President in improving the education sector, adding that teachers should distribute the books to the students without collecting any payment.
The Minister of State Education Hajiya Jibril Dukku, that the Federal Ministry of Education through the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) arranged for the intervention for Primary 4 English Language, Mathematics, Science Based-Activity books and assorted Library books for JSS for all states of the Federation and FCT.
Hajiya Dukku disclosed that N4, 287,673,335.63 billion was the total amount cost for the project. The Federal Executive Council (FEC) gave the approvals for procure the books from the publishers for the states to be used, they includes; Macmillan publishers, Longman publisher, Evans Brothers publishers, First publisher University Press plc, West African book publisher and HEBN publishers.
According to her, a total 7, 962,812 copies of primary 4 textbooks and 494,875 and 494,875 copies of 107 titles of library books for JSS have therefore been procured.
“ we would emphasize that these books are free to ensure this , the books have customized features such as FGN-UBE intervention “NOT FOR SALE” printed boldly on the front outer surface of the cover page vertically on the left side margin of each of the inside pages of the book”, Dukku said.
“ we implore State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs); teachers parents and indeed all stakeholders to set appropriate mechanisms in place to ensure that Government's intention of making the books available to pupils at no cost is realized, we shall hold the SUBEBs responsible if any of these books are being sold anywhere in the Federation”, she added.
Chairman Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Board, Prof. Tunde Adeniran stated that there is need to provide quality education to every Nigerian child and he urged the stakeholders and private sectors to help in providing structural materials that would boost learning in the schools.
He said that basic infrastructures had put in place all over the country to ensure that the learning environment are conducive for the students which means parents, teachers and students in every state have no reason to fail to actualize the goal of Mr. President.
The Chairman House of Representatives on Education Honorable Farouk Lawal commended the UBEC on their efforts in moving basic education forward.
His words; “ we need to commit ourselves for the development of education in this country, as we can see Government has been doing a lot to promote every Nigerian child in the education sector”.
He called on the states and local government and parents to continue monitoring the projects set up by the UBEC for the success of education sector of the nation.
“ with the commitment of the parents and other stakeholders we can achieve the goal of education in the country”, Lawal.
