Skip to main content

Environmental Health Value Chain Will Revamp Nigeria's Economy - Baba

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja 

   
   L-R- Ambassador, Republic of Poland to Nigeria, Joanna Tarnawska; Minister of Environment, Mohammed Abdullahi; Registrar of Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCN), Dr Yakubu Baba; Deputy Registrar of EHCN, Dr Andy Ukah; Head of Department, Education & Training, EHCN, Mrs Ibrahim Bolanle and Assistant Director of Special Duties, EHCN, Mrs Jummai Ahmed at the unveiling of Gazetted Practitioners Register in Abuja Tuesday. PHOTO BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja. 

The Registrar of Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCN), Dr Yakubu Baba has disclosed that environmental health value chain will revamp Nigeria's economy and raise the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) through Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative. 

He stated this in Abuja on Tuesday at the opening of a 3-day National Environmental Health Business Forum, organised by EHCN with the theme, "Developing Sustainable Environmental Health Business Model in Support of Nigeria’s Economic Diversification Drive". 

The event coincided with the unveiling of EHCN service charter, customised seal for practitioners, rank badges, gazetted practitioners register and information education, as well as communication materials. 

Baba stated that the customised seal, which was produced by the Printing and Minting section of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) contained the names and  registration number of every licensed practitioners. 

He said that the service charter was established given that President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration harped on the need for the implementation of servicom across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government. 

Baba assured that every application requested in EHCN would be approved within a minimum of two weeks in accordance with servicom, adding that the essence of the summit is to create an enabling environment for the private sector to invest in environmental health, which he described as a serious business. 

According to him, "On the 6th of September, President Muhammadu Buhari signed into law the amended Environmental Health Officers Registration Council of Nigeria (EHORECON) law which led to the creation of EHCN". 

He stated that the new name unearthed additional responsibilities for the council, noting that EHCN is expected to regulate 21 components of environmental health such as food safety, abattoir sanitation, sanitation in the hospitality industries, international regulation and among others according to World Health Organisation (WHO). 

Baba was optimistic that the summit will avail opportunities that would lead to the creation of 10,000 jobs within environmental health value chain, stating that EHCN needs an enabling environment for private sector participation. 

Declaring the forum open, the Minister of Environment, Mohammed Abdullahi lamented that the environment is increasingly impacted by negative trends that leads to outbreak of diseases and other health conditions.

He stated that the government is concerned about the quality of services in the pharmaceutical sector, insisting that operators must embrace the laid down rules and registrations by protecting and preserving the environment in line with circular economy agenda. 

The minister said that every professional must work within the stipulated guidelines and standards, especially on issues pertaining to climate change, adding that environmental health risks and exposures are responsible for nearly half of the global burden of mortality rate.

Addeessing the participants via Zoom, a lecturer at Australian National University, Dr Andrew Mathieson emphasised the need for commercialising products and services in environmental health for optimal results. 

On his part, the National Consultant of Public Health and Environment, World Health Organisation (WHO) Nigeria, Dr Edwin Isotu Edeh said that 29 percent of national disease burden in Nigeria was linked to risk factors in the environment. 

While commending EHCN for the laudable business initiative, he empasised that the programme will create jobs and reduce unemployment in Nigeria.

The Ambassador, Republic of Poland to Nigeria, Joanna Tarnawska was hopeful that the deliberations will end harmful practices that impact human health in the environment. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

EHCON Moves To Rebrand Environmental Health Sector Using Artificial Intelligence

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja   Dr Yakubu Baba The Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON) has taken cogent steps to rebrand the environmental health sector using artificial intelligence.  Already, plans are underway to extend the initiative across the six geopolitical zones, as no community would be sidelined.  The Registrar of EHCON, Dr Yakubu Baba stated this in Abuja at a 3-day workshop organised by EHCON in collaboration with Afri-Tourism Investment Limited and West Africa Gas Pipeline Authority (WAGPA) with the theme: "AI-Driven Operations and Predictive Analysis." The essence of the workshop is to improve environmental health practice and prevent emerging diseases using artificial intelligent.   It is expected to empower Environmental Health Officers (EHOs) with the necessary digital skills needed to deepen environmental health practice and provide workable  solutions to problems.  Baba noted that integrating AI into environmental he...
Post a Comment
Read more

CCB, NILDS Endorse CIFCFIN Agenda To Eliminate Fraud

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja Iliyasu Gashinbaki  The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) have endorsed the agenda of the Chartered Institute of Forensics and Certified Fraud Investigators of Nigeria (CIFCFIN), aimed at eliminating fraud from systems of government.  This was one of the major highlights during the Institute’s 13th Direct Training/Licensed Practitioners Training/graduation and award of Fellowship at NILDS headquarters, Abuja.  Speaking after his investiture as an Honourary Fellow of the Institute, Chairman of CCB, Dr. Abdullahi Bello noted that CIFICFIN embodies excellence, integrity and a steadfast commitment to combating fraud and upholding justice. He pointed out that to be recognised and honoured as a fellow of the institute is a privilege that he will cherish and carry with great responsibility.  “As the Chief Executive of CCB, I am reminded of the critical role we play in fosterin...
Post a Comment
Read more

EHCON Seals Deal With EPHAN On Sustainable Environmental Solutions

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja L-R- Registrar/ CEO of EHCON Dr. Yakubu Mohammed Baba and President of EPHAN, Dr. Samuel Akingbehin during a strategic engagement session on Friday in Abuja. In line with the Renewed Hope Agenda, the Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON) has sealed a deal with Public Health Association of Nigeria (EPHAN) on sustainable environmental solutions.  The partnership wlll also bolster  speedy implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on environmental and public health.  News Rider reports that SDG 3 places emphasis on good health and well-being through the reduction of noncommunicable diseases, combatting waterborne diseases.; as well as lowers death and illness from exposure to hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution.  This is even as SDG 6 guarantees clean water and sanitation through universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water and sanitation.  Addressing the media du...
Post a Comment
Read more