By Suleiman Yakubu

The National President of the Association of Primary School Head Teachers in Nigeria (AOPSHON), Comrade Lagha Oweifyneman Zik, has urged educational stakeholders to prioritize the payment of primary school teachers' salaries as a first-line charge.
Speaking at the official opening ceremony of the three-day National Annual Finance Workshop 2024 Edition, held at the Comrade Labaran Garba Multipurpose International Conference Hall, NUT House, Gidan Goro, Chanchaga Minna, Comrade Zik emphasized the critical need to address this issue to revive the country's declining educational standards.
Comrade Zik highlighted that prioritizing teachers' salaries would not only ensure their happiness but also enhance the learning experience for students, who are the future leaders. He noted that AOPSHON and NUT leadership fully support the Supreme Court's recent decision to grant full autonomy to local government councils, which he believes will improve resource management, particularly in primary schools located in local government areas.
He further stressed that teachers, being directly involved in children's upbringing, should consistently present their salary-related requests to school authorities to implement the association's stance for effective teaching and learning.
Discussing the workshop's objectives, Comrade Zik stated that the event aims to sensitize and enlighten stakeholders on the importance of financial management and resource utilization to ensure probity and transparency. He added that accountability in financial matters is crucial for any organization's success.
Comrade Zik urged participants to engage actively, ask questions, and contribute to achieving the association's goals.
In her welcome address, the Chairperson of AOPSHON in Niger State, Comrade Fatima Abdullahi Kutigi, explained that the workshop aims to create a platform for knowledge sharing, collaboration, and growth. She mentioned that the association organized the workshop to bring together experts and stakeholders from various fields to exchange ideas and perspectives on resource management.
Comrade Kutigi also acknowledged the support of the Commissioner of Basic and Secondary Education, Dr. Hadiza Asabe Mohammed, NSUBEB Chairman, Mallam Baba Ibrahim, and NUT State Chairman, Comrade Adamu Muhammed Akayago. She reiterated the association's commitment to providing a conducive environment and fostering innovation.
In a goodwill message, NUT Chairman Comrade Adamu Mohammed Akayago described the workshop's topic as crucial for the education sector. He emphasized that effective resource management is key to success and called for efforts to curb corrupt practices in resource control to ensure the growth and development of education.
Comrade Akayago commended the association for initiating the workshop to address these challenges.

By Suleiman Yakubu

The Niger State Health Misinformation Management Fellowship is seeking collaboration with the state National Orientation Agency (NOA) and the Ministry of Information and Strategy to effectively combat health misinformation in the state.
During a recent courtesy visit to the NOA office in Minna, the team leader of the fellowship, Mr. Daniel Atori, informed the management that the 25 fellows, drawn from various sectors including media, traditional and religious institutions, healthcare, youth organisations, and FOMWAN, were trained by Nigeria Health Watch (NHW) in collaboration with the Niger State government through the Ministries of Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary Healthcare.
Mr. Atori highlighted the crippling impact of health misinformation globally and within Nigeria, emphasising the need for collaboration and support from NOA for an upcoming sensitisation program scheduled for next Monday.
He disclosed that the fellows have undergone extensive training and are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to combat health misinformation. The fellowship is seeking partnerships with relevant agencies like NOA to ensure fruitful engagement in the state.
In response, the state director of NOA, Yahaya Ibrahim Gbongbo, appreciated the fellowship's visit and affirmed that NOA is the right place for such collaboration. He explained that NOA's mandate includes mobilising and sensitising the public on government programs and policies, covering all aspects of human endeavour from the top to the grassroots.
Mr. Gbongbo acknowledged the prevalence of misinformation in the health sector and expressed NOA's readiness to partner with the fellowship to combat it, assuring the presence of NOA staff at the upcoming event.
Similarly, the fellows, led by Mr. Atori, visited the office of the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Hon. Binta Mamman, to brief her on the fellowship's emergence and its forthcoming event.
Hon. Mamman applauded the initiative, noting its timely relevance given the globalisation and the spread of misinformation through social media. She emphasised that information is power and expressed the ministry's support for the fellowship, recognising its potential to manage the outpour of incorrect information effectively.