Anambra State government has directed all owners of private schools operating without official approval to obtain the necessary authorisation by September or face closure.

Commissioner for Education, Professor Ngozi Chuma-Udeh gave the warning during a stakeholders meeting of proprietors of private schools in Awka, yesterday.

Chuma-Udeh questioned the reasons for the delay in securing the necessary approvals, in spite of multiple warnings and an extended grace period.

She said  further delay would not be tolerated.

“There are  many private schools that are yet to be approved. The time given by the governor to shut down such schools has expired.

“Even though I took permission from the governor to extend the time which has been holding back the task force, the owners of the schools are still delaying.

“This meeting is to know the reason for the delay in getting approval. But if by the beginning of first term, those schools are yet to be approved, we will close them down.

“That is what the law stipulates and we have given enough grace,” she said.

Some  proprietors alleged that impostors pretending to be government officials had visited their schools to extort money.

The commissioner promised to look into the complaint and act accordingly.

Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, Plateau State Chapter has honoured  a former governor  and Senator representing Plateau South Senatorial District, Simon Lalong with an award for his contributions to healthcare development in the state.

The award was presented to him during the Maiden NMA Business Coalition for Health Summit held in Jos.

The NMA Chairman, Kumtap  Cashmir said Senator Lalong is being recognised for his passion and commitment to healthcare development.

He said Senator Lalong in addition to other things he did in the health sector during his tenure as governor, decided to  reconstruct the administrative block of  Shendam General Hospital under his constituency projects. 

While accepting the award, the former governor appreciated the NMA for honouring him with an Award of Service and recognising his modest contributions to the health sector in the state. 

He said since the award and recognition came when he had have left office, it shows that some of the steps his administration took were in the right direction and still impacting the society positively.  

He recalled that when he came on board as governor, he inherited abandoned projects including health infrastructure started as far back as the administration of Governor Joshua Dariye. Rather than toe the line of politics and further ignoring them, he decided to complete the projects, some inherited at foundation level and others at barely 20-30 percent.

Senator Lalong  explained that after signing into law the Bill establishing Plateau State Specialist Hospital, his administration revamped it by improving  infrastructure and acquiring state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment which include Superstar MRI Machine; 64 Slices CT Scanner; 4D-Ultrasound Scanner and Digital X-Ray Machine among others which were commissioned by former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon.

According to him, his administration went ahead to create other supporting agencies such as the State Primary Health Care Board, PLASCHEMA and the Plateau Drugs and Medical Commodities Management Agency to strengthen institutional capacity for providing quality healthcare to the people. 

He said as a senator, he has continued to push ahead with touching the lives of my constituents as he recently commissioned the reconstructed Admin Block of the Shendam General Hospital which was done under his Constituency Projects as well as inspected the Muhammadu Buhari 100 Bed Mother and Child Hospital located at Gidan Dabat, Kwande in Quaan’Pan LGA, a project he attracted. 

Governor Caleb Mutfwang who also received an award, said the state government is doing a lot to inject resources into healthcare and also improve it’s national standing in health indices.

The governor commended Senator Lalong for renovating the administration block of Shendam General Hospital and working with other legislators for the interest of Plateau. 

By Uche Onyeali

The Orthopedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos State was at the weekend a beehive of activities as hundreds of people received free medical treatments, courtesy of a United States-based group of the Kegites Club, the Universal Archivar Elders.

The group assembled a team of six doctors, 21 nurses, and five trained counselors to provide medical treatments and distribution of free medicines that were shipped into the country from the United States.

This outreach was not only a response to the growing need for accessible healthcare but also a bold declaration that compassion, when organized, can heal both body and spirit.

The outreach was designed to bring much-needed healthcare services to underserved members of the Kegites Club and the Lagos community. From early morning, hundreds of individuals gathered in anticipation, many seeking relief from long-ignored health concerns. Over 1,000 beneficiaries received care during the event, with services ranging from general consultations, to medication distribution, blood sugar and blood pressure checks, eye screenings to cervical cancer screening, and personalized counseling sessions.

Their tireless efforts ensured that each patient was attended to with professionalism, empathy, and respect.

One of the most touching moments came from an elderly woman who had been experiencing visual difficulties for years. After her screening, she received a pair of reading glasses and burst into tears, saying, “I haven’t seen this clearly in five years. God bless you all.” It was a reminder that sometimes, the smallest interventions can lead to the biggest transformations.

In attendance was the chairman of the Lagos State Local Government Commission, Chief Kamal Baiyewu, and Chief EdwardAlo, President of the Rotary Club of Abeokuta, both of whom are also members of the Kegites Club.

Also in attendance were past supreme heads of the students version of the Club, Chiefs Femi Oyafemi (1982), Olumide Oniyire SAN (1989), Olaoti Dester Adeyemi (1994), Atesebi Oluwole Fidelis (1986) , and the Otun Bashorun of the Egbe Agba Elemu, Chief Irapada, among others. The list also included the current World Chief Ogunlade Prosper Oluwasogo and his national counterpart, Oluwapelumi Abiona.

“Of course, the day was not without its challenges. Managing such a large crowd with limited space and resources required swift coordination and on-the-spot problem solving, ” said the president of the group, Bashorun Fayth Deleola Daramola.

He added: “The dedication and teamwork of our volunteers ensured that the event ran smoothly. The counselors played a key role in guiding anxious patients and helping those with critical conditions receive referrals for specialized follow-up care.”

Deleola further noted: “At the heart of this outreach was not just the medical care provided, but the sense of dignity restored to each individual who came through. Many left not only with free medications in hand but with renewed hope and knowledge to better manage their health conditions.

Declaring satisfaction with the exercise, Daramola said: “The event today is a pride to the Kegites community in the sense that we have been able to change the narrative or the perceptions of the Kegites from mere entertainers to community responsible entities in the leagues of the Rotary Club, the Lion’s Club, and the likes”.

In light of the success of the day, Daramola announced plans for more of such outings. His words: “As we reflect on the smiles, the relief, and the gratitude that we witnessed, we are reminded that this is only the beginning. There is more work to be done, and we are ready”
Chief Oyafemi was no less ecstatic about the out, saying: “Sincere appreciation of the honour. We thank God for the success of the programme and commend the efforts of the organisers This trail blazer is a blueprint of what the club should engage in beyond gyration
God bless you abundantly and replenish your purses.”
Canada-based Chief Sorinmade was equally happy at the success of the event. His words: “Congratulations. Yes, we have really crossed the “Rubicon” and there should be no going back.”
Sorinmade, who is more popularly called Chief Gboziah The Jew, stated further: “We need to ask God to make the group multiply. This is a pace setter; let us see who will beat it and by so doing, the expected face value for the club will spring up. What a great and successful one. Above all, we need to thank God for it is the Lord’s doing, it is marvellous in our sight.”

Chief Dester said: “It was my pleasure to be part of the laudable project. I wish the Universal Archaivar Elders all the best in her future exploits as you strive to promote the image of the club globally! It was a fantastic programme!!! May the Lord replenish your purses in multiple folds.”