Weekend File 16th May 2026

Added: 2026-05-17

[00:00:16]When most of us hear the word rehabilitation, we tend to think of drug rehab centers or correctional facilities. But in the world of healthcare, the realities much brother and it's something that touches every lives more than we realize. For patients dealing with debilitating conditions like stroke, paralysis, or even psychological trauma, being discharged from the hospital isn't the end of the road. It's actually the start of a long, often difficult journey. It is a journey marked by expensive therapy, long travels to find specialist lost income and families stretched to the breaking point. This drive coordinated by the medical rehabilitation therapist board MRTB with support from the World Health Organization and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare aims to fully integrate rehabilitation into the health care system especially at the primary healthcare level. The initiative targets improved access to essential rehabilitation for people recovering from stroke accidents, surgeries, disabilities, chronic illnesses, and other conditions that require long-term care. Recent government interventions include the integration of rehabilitation services into primary health care centers, expansion of health insurance coverage, revitalization of rehabilitation centers nationwide, and the enhancement of training programs for rehabilitation professionals.

[00:01:46]The discussion program will examine the objectives of whole rehabilitation, the World Health Organization rehabilitation 2030 initiative, the realities facing patients, caregivers and persons living with disabilities and the critical need to make rehabilitation access and affordable. Joining me in the studio to put into perspective concerted efforts to strengthen rehabilitation services in Nigeria is the fourth registar CEO of medical rehabilitation therapist registration board of Nigeria professor Rafa yuf Ahmed. Good evening and welcome to weekend file. I am Ben Belenu. First the news.

[00:02:34]Now we start with secret masses where President Bolatinu has commended the victory recorded by Nigeria and the United States which led to the elimination of the wanted senior leader of the Islamic State terrorist group Abu Bilal al-Manuki also known as Abu Mayuk along with several of his lieutenants during a strike on his compound in Lake Chad basin. In a statement by the president, Nigeria appreciates this partnership with the United States in advancing our shared security objectives and extends his sincere gratitude to President Donald Trump for his leadership and unwary support in this effort. President commends the personnel involved on both sides for their professionalism and courage and looks forward to more decisive strikes against all terrorist enclaves across the nation. He described the feat as an example of collaboration in the fight against terrorism.

[00:03:33]The presidency has dismissed doubts surrounding the reported killing of Abu Bilal al-Manuki described as a senior commander of the Islamic State West Africa province ISWAP. The presidency said criticism trailing the reported elimination on the sun leader were premature and not grounded in the realities of modern counterterrorism operations. The report in a detailed 17 paragraph statement the presidents noted that questioning the authenticity of the Nigerian American joint military operation that reportedly eliminated the ISAB commander is needless. The statement notes that intelligence and military authorities have expressed a high level of confidence in the latest operation, insisting that the strike was backed by prolonged intelligence, surveillance and recognizance efforts, communications monitoring and phone intercepts dating back to December 2025. The presidency however acknowledged that Almanuki's name had previously appeared among list of suspected iswap and booram commanders reportedly killed in 2024 during operations around the bin guarik forest axis in kaduna state. It explained that the earlier report was a case of mistaken identity during sustained counterinsurgency operations. The presidency further disclosed that security agencies initially attempted to capture the insurgent leader alive rather than eliminate him. It noted that he was reportedly under surveillance in multiple locations including Abuja and Medigree days before the final operation. Unlike previous efforts, the latest strike was executed with a significant higher degree of precision.

[00:05:15]Officials according to the statement insisted that multiple layers of verification were carried out before the final operation was authorized. The presidency warned against dismissing military claims based on past cases where terrorist leaders were wrongly declared dead before resurfacing later.

[00:05:35]Undermining credible joint operations involving Nigerian forces and international partners could weaken public confidence in ongoing counterterrorism efforts. It maintained that Nigeria's armed forces alongside foreign intelligence partners were operating in one of the world's most complex insurgency environments where targets often move across borders and use multiple identities. And for the military, this time they are 100% certain.

[00:06:05]And away from security matters, President Bolatinu has again promised that his administration will continue to work hard and build a great economy in order to sustain the country's prosperity already manifesting. He made a commitment when he addressed the Nigerian community in Rwanda. State House correspondent Muzbar Dwahab reports.

[00:06:28]After his prominent participation on the stage of the just concluded Africa CEO forum, it was onto the stage facilitated by the Nigerians in diaspora commission.

[00:06:42]It was for the usual interface with Nigerians in diaspora and in the case of Rwanda, Nigerians here would get a sense of belonging with a pleasure of direct access to their president. It was an opportunity well utilized as many of them would bear their minds with the latitude given by their leader all this woman.

[00:07:10]>> They lorded the well noticed reforms of the administration including the improved access and renewal of international passports as well as the stability in the nation's economy >> for the forex float. Now I can send my money to Nigeria without getting scared that the money will turn to one NRA tomorrow. That's based on the reforms that you've done. There could be things from it, but that's what we need to survive as a country.

[00:07:34]>> But beyond that, many of them who have made their marks in various sectors across the globe are eager to give back to Nigeria.

[00:07:44]>> Yes. And we can bring in investment. We can bring in the money. We can bring in the people to create what we have created here and in other places in Africa. Trust me. Yes. And I come in this in the name of doing it. I'm not looking for anybody's money. I have my own money. I want to do it for my country. It is a pride to me.

[00:08:08]Thank you.

[00:08:09]Whatever is the obstacle back home, we will solve that.

[00:08:15]>> Not only getting asurances of the presidents on their plans to give back, but also that the government is working to ensure a country to be proud of.

[00:08:25]While he demands patriotism from the citizenry, the president renews his pledge to the country and its people.

[00:08:33]All I can promise you as a leader is that I will lead with sincerity regardless of tribe, religion. I don't care. What else do I promise you?

[00:08:51]Governance.

[00:08:54]Nigeria's prosperity is beginning to manifest itself.

[00:09:03]I will continue to work hard to make sure that we realize our dream and leave a legacy of continuity of progress, inclusiveness and prosperity.

[00:09:20]>> The community came up with really amazing ideas and innovations which Mr. President has instructed that has to be worked on. for instance is a Nigerian who developed the sport city here in Rwanda and he's willing to do something back home.

[00:09:34]>> The Nigerians in the East African country promised to continue to protect the reputation of Nigeria on their surgeon abroad Musa Denwhab NC news.

[00:09:47]Now let's talk some politics and the display of party cohesiveness and the ruling all progressives congress has conducted primaries for its aspirants wishing to represent the party across the 360 constituencies in the 2027 election. NTA correspondents who monitor the exercise across the country reports that while APC adopted the open primary mode to conduct the primary in some states, APC candidates of House of Representatives in some other states emerged through consensus agreement. The report >> across the country, the APC primaries witnessed a mixture of the use of consensus and direct primaries to ELECT CANDIDATES.

[00:10:37]THE exercise enabled the ruling party to showcase its unity, grassroots appeal and discipline as reports from the state say that peaceful conduct largely characterized the exercise across the northeast, northwest and north central.

[00:10:53]Part of stalwarts commended the primaries in Gumbay. The prime elections held under the watch of national officers of the APC and security agencies in Nasar state. Party members turned out in Lafia Obi federal constituency to elect candidates of their choice in Katina state. Ysef the son of late president Muhammad Buhari emerged APC candidate for the DA sand may awa federal constituency >> and alhamdulillah no doubt they have given us all the necessary support and cooperation in the desert of our mandate. Similar circumstances also prevailed in the southeast, south, south south and southwest states where consensus agreements prevailed as some constituencies while in others aspirants slugged it out to choose the party's candidates.

[00:11:46]>> We've moved around town and we've seen elections going on in the various W and local governments peacefully.

[00:11:54]>> We are satisfied with the process. There have been no unfortold events. There have been no violence >> at the primary election in parts of Potakot and Obu Ako local government areas. Else while speaker reversals of assembly Martin Amahul precious eigu and blessing amadi emerged candidates of the party in a state incubent lawmakers moru aabi awak representing auta south federal constituency and olumid oshoba representing a beluta north and obi federal constituencies dominated the all progressives congress house of representatives primaries in delta Uni Elumu emerged winner of the APC primaries for annual chair Oshim federal constituency as the winner.

[00:12:54]With the primaries done and dusted, the APC setting its sights on preparing for the next stage of the electioneering process towards the 2027 general elections.

[00:13:10]A former Zanfur state governor and senator representing Zanfur West Abdulazizari has organized special prayers for peace, prosperity and divine guidance in Nigeria's leadership selection process. The prayer session held at his country home in Talata Mafar attracted religious leaders, political associates and community members. Halu Muhammad has more.

[00:13:32]>> Prayer was convened amidst ongoing national conversations on security, the economy and the future of political leadership in the country. Islamic clerics from across Zur state offered prayers for national unity, stability and divine guidance in choosing credible and god-fearing leaders at all levels of government. Speaking at the event, Senator Blaziari said the prayers were necessary given the ding challenges facing the nation, calling on Nigerians to remain steadfast, prayerful and committed to peace and progress of the country. The lawmaker who highlighted some achievements of President Bulahinu appealed to Nigerians to continue supporting him to succeed. Almighty Allah accept all supplications. Give our president, our country peace, and may he in his embassy guide him to do only things that are right. In their remarks, religious leaders who led the session emphasized the importance of national cohesion as they also prayed for an end to insecurity, economic hardship, and for wisdom for those in positions of authority and those aspiring to lead.

[00:14:41]>> It's very important for Nigerians to pray for president, for his house, for his good leadership each and every week.

[00:14:49]We do sit and pray for Nigeria, pray for our state and pray for the nation entirely.

[00:14:57]>> It is the expectation of participants that the spiritual gathering will bring about positive change and set the tone for peaceful political engagements in the coming month inau.

[00:15:11]Now let's head to Makkah as pilgrims intensifies prayers and supplication at the grand mosque in Makkah scores of Nigerian pilgrims have continued to arrive the holy city preparatory to fulfilling the 2026 hajites. Respondent Aubakar Awanga reports.

[00:15:29]>> Some of the latest Nigerian pilgrims that have arrived to the holy city of Makka, a Cathina, Niger, and Satu, bringing the current number of all Nigerian pilgrims to more than 20,000.

[00:15:41]The pilgrims who were in high spirit at the time of arrival expressed satisfaction with accommodations which are close to the grand mocks meal formula and other critical services provided by the national hatch commission of Nigeria Nakon and state authorities of Haj board >> very very impressed I even cry >> accommodation and it is no far >> during the arrival of Nigerian pilgrims in one of the facilities in the holy city of Mecca. An indigenous Saudi lady and other children also played host to the guests of Allah.

[00:16:20]>> Our top priority to keep you safe and comfortable in uh in your journey.

[00:16:27]Meanwhile, the National Hatch Commission of Nigeria has continued to ensure that the welfare of all pilgrims in the holy city of Mecca is non-negotiable through collaboration with state pilgrims welfare balls. Earlier the commission carried out its supervisor role in one of the meal kitchens where the chief chief explained that several Nigerian meals have been prepared in good quality and served at appropriate times to all pilgrims within their poor view from the holy city of Makka. Abuakar Awanga NT News.

[00:17:01]>> I'm back home. The federal government has directed a comprehensive review of the integrated personnel and payroll information system IPIS tasking stakeholders to develop a road map that ensures greater efficiency, transparency and accountability in the management of public funds. The directive was issued by the accountant general of the federation Dr. Shamsin Ujimi at a 3-day strategic retreat in Abuja. The accountant general explained that the initiative is designed to review and strengthen weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the system. He noted that the ultimate goal is to align the platform with the government's objective of centralizing personnel records and improving pension related processes.

[00:17:49]As of April 2026, the SE strength on the IPBI platform stands at 1 million 94,958 across 504 MDAs including the Nigerian armed forces, Nigerian police, paramilitary and agencies, specialized institutions as well as former heads of service and retired permanent secretaries.

[00:18:17]The office of the head of the civil service of the federation remains committed to working closely with the office of the accounting general of the federation to strengthen IPS. Our shared objective is a system that is accurate, efficient, transparent, userfriendly and trusted by all stakeholders.

[00:18:46]Now talking health in Aziku University Hospital in NAR state is witnessing a major breakthrough in speedy diagnosis of neuro and cardiovascular related diseases or injuries. These follow the inauguration of installed 1.5 Tesla magnetic resistance imaging MRI system donated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company and NPC Foundation reports. Rona's imaging MRI system is a non-invasive medical device that uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to create highly detailed cross-sectional images of the body's internal organs, muscles, and tissues.

[00:19:25]Estimates generally place the total number of MRI units in the country between 58 and 80 with a greater percentage in private health institutions. The scarcity has placed patients in severe diagnostic delays even with high cost. We are doing this.

[00:19:43]This intervention by the NNPC Foundation in providing the MRI machine to the NAMI University Hospital NEI will not only relieve patients with neuro and cardiovascular related diseases within the southeast but Nigeria at large >> as 1.5 system I all the stakeholders to protect the facility maintain it and ensure no neglect and to ensure their sustainability for prosperity.

[00:20:12]The installation of the 1.5 Tesla MRS system we believe will significantly enhance this hospital's capacity to functionally diagonize neurological oncological cardiovascular and all related conditions with effective speed and accuracy. stakeholders and joined other corporate institutions to emulate the NNPC Foundation in investing in critical health infrastructure that will reduce the burden of medical tourism.

[00:20:42]>> Today is not just about commissioning and handing over of the machine at all.

[00:20:47]It marks installation of hope, quality, precision and excellence in our radio diagnostic capabilities. The NNPC team earlier paid a cost visit to the traditional rule of Kingdom Iguizu where they promised the commitment of the foundation to invest in projects that will improve the lives of Nigerians. NO NTA News away from health building under construction has collapsed in the Gadua district of the federal capital territory leaving five persons fear dead and 10 others injured. Odiio Buro reports that search and rescue operations are ongoing as emergency responders continue efforts to rescue victims trapped beneath the rubble.

[00:21:33]I am at the sides of the collapsed building still under construction along Udu road in Kadua district. So far 10 persons have been rescued alive with minor injury.

[00:21:47]Five reportedly dead and one still undergoing treatment in the hospital.

[00:21:53]Eyewitnesses say the three-story building under construction collapsed in the early hours of Saturday, May 16, 2026, raising concerns over compliance with building regulations in the federal's capital territory.

[00:22:08]>> I happened to be passing the area when it came down and uh the smoke was all over. I just observed that people were just staring and I knew what was right to do. So immediately I put a call through to the police communications unit to let them know this had happened.

[00:22:24]I had to call Neymar. I also had to call the fire service and I started putting calls to as many emergency agencies.

[00:22:31]>> FCT Monday secretary for health and environmental services Dr. Dr. Dako Fasaweer described the incident as a result of the developers failure to conduct the necessary structural and visibility assessments before commencing construction.

[00:22:49]>> The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Barisel has zero tolerance to illegal buildings and his response to this he spoke on the phone. He asked us to take care of all the emergency cases free of charge and meet patients and give them absolute care. However, the owners of this building will have a case to answer.

[00:23:13]>> Here we are coordinating the search and rescue, coordinating other stakeholders to ensure that the search and rescue is seamless. At the moment, the search and rescue is ongoing with all the stakeholders of RA. The collapsed building was earlier marked by the FCD as an illegal structure demanding that work should stop. However, this directive was allegedly ignored leading to this unfortunate incident.

[00:23:41]The jury of Arini NTA News thanks you're watching. We can far more reports then our discussion segment after this break. Do stay with us.

[00:23:56]Yeah, thanks for being there. Nigeria is working to strengthen rehabilitation services through the implementation of the WHO rehabilitation 2030 initiative to integrate care at all levels. In this report, Elizabeth Amori looks at the global initiative launched in 2017, Nigeria's preparedness and plans to meet the implementation to address rehabilitation needs before 2030.

[00:24:24]Life they say can change in a heartbeat.

[00:24:27]One moment everything feels normal. The next a sudden stroke, a road crash or a major surgery changes the course of a person's life forever. And in those difficult moments, the question is often no longer just about survival. It becomes about what happens after the long emotional journey of learning to walk again, speak again, walk again, or simply leave independently once more. As Nigeria's population grows and ages, stories like these are becoming increasingly common, placing rehabilitation at the center of conversations. The good news, however, is that Nigeria is now joining a global initiative to make rehabilitation services an integral part of healthcare delivery. Under the World Health Organization's rehabilitation 2030 initiative, Nigeria is making rehabilitation her next major health priority.

[00:25:28]>> The ministry has taken initiative action. The minister approved integration of rehabilitation into primary healthcare. In fact, equipping of some primary healthcare centers that will serve as model for the primary healthcare rehab primary healthcare has already uh started.

[00:25:46]>> We have a program um called basic healthcare provision fund. Not really a program but a fund put together by the federal government which is um um 1% of the constitute revenue fund. They're another support donors and all that bring in funds into there. So all those funds pulled together have four gateways. Now from that program people in the hintterlands can access care for free.

[00:26:09]>> It's commendable that s strategy are being put in place to rehabilitate persons with disabilities or other people living with one form of vulnerability and the other.

[00:26:23]>> It's a good thing for Nigeria to have a a rehabilitation center for people that have accident victims and crisis victims. Stakeholders insist rehabilitation is no longer optional in modern health care. Elizabeth Omori, NTAC News.

[00:26:43]Now in the studio is the fourth register and chief executive officer of the medical rehabilitation therapist registration board of Nigeria MRTB professor Rufa Yu Aknet. He is a professor of neurological physiootherapy at Bayer University Cano, a fellow of the Nigerian Society of Physiootherapy and served as national president of the Nigerian Society of Physiootherapy as well as a member governing board of medical rehabilitation therapist. You're welcome to weekend file.

[00:27:12]>> Thank you very much. Nice to be here.

[00:27:14]>> Okay, Prof. When many Nigerians hear the word rehabilitation, the first thing that comes to mind is often drug recovery centers or mental health institutions. But in in the healthcare uh context, rehabilitation is much broader. Can you help us properly define rehabilitation and explain why it is becoming such a critical part of modern healthcare delivery and uh what illnesses fall into these categories.

[00:27:41]>> Uh thank you very much. Uh so actually uh who says that uh health is beyond just the absence of disease or injury.

[00:27:51]Uh there's also the context of well-being and quality of life. So what this means is that what we are used to is that someone will have a disease.

[00:28:01]Maybe you have an infection. uh maybe someone will have as just like you have a stroke uh blood accumulate in your brain and uh possibly uh you have a fracture or you have a dislocation. So these are injuries and diseases and people go to the hospital they either see a physician they get a drug or they go to a surgeon and they get surgery. Uh so these are all aspects that are called impairment. uh for example if someone has a movement related problem you sit for a prolonged period uh or you do repetitive activities with your body and you go to a physotherapist to get treatment for low back pain for knee pain or neck pain all these are treatments that are termed impairment under what is called the ICF international classification of functioning disability and health but beyond the impairment the disease or the injury can affect your ability to do activities of daily living So you may not be able to walk, you may not be able to eat, you may not be able to uh uh hear of course because there's also the issue disease and injury can affect your hearing. It can affect your speech. Uh it can affect your mental state, conscious level, your ability to remember things, your ability to comprehend and uh process information and your emotions. Uh so all these are the level of impairment. The impairment can affect your ability to do things to speak, to hear, to move, to walk, and to eat and to do many other things. But beyond disability, there's also handicap. Meaning the disability can affect your ability to be able to interact with the society. So you can walk, but you may not be able to cross the road because crossing the road will come with a lot of other things that are beyond just physically walking. Meaning you are going to interact with traffic light, another car crossing by and therefore you are integrating a lot of systems of the body, the sensory systems, the mental system and the physical and so all these can affect your ability to interact. You can may not be able to go to the market, walk through a busy street, be able to buy things because of all those impairments affecting the disability and also giving uh handicap. uh the United Nations uh has this uh development goal, developmental goals, sustainable developmental goals. Number three says health and wellbeing. Meaning it goes beyond just health, it's also wellbeing.

[00:30:24]But with rehabilitation, it goes beyond just health and wellbeing. SDG4 is about education. If you are having problems with disability and there's no rehabilitation, then you are going to have a problem with education accessibility and being able to understand what the teacher is saying or hear him or understand him. also goes beyond that work and job uh because you have problem getting integrated into doing your job and also inequality which is SDG at 10 but in all this rehabilitation meaning it's now about after impairment after disease or injury how can someone give you the intervention that is going to help you to be able to move from disability resolving disability and also being able to interact with your environment All right. All right. Many thanks prof. One of the key pillars of this initiative is integrating rehabilitation into primary healthcare for the ordinary Nigerian watching. What exactly does this mean in practical terms and what additional services or areas of care are expected to be covered at the community and primary healthcare levels?

[00:31:31]>> Yes. So, uh there are three levels. The primary health care, the the secondary and the tertiary. uh but also there is a community level. Uh in some other countries there are even about six levels of the health uh system care system. Uh at the moment in Nigeria we have rehabilitation at the secondary and the tertiary levels. There is no rehabilitation at the primary health care level. And what do you need to have rehabilitation at the primary healthcare level? There are six components or six building blocks of the health system.

[00:32:05]Traditionally we focus a lot on the workforce and the service delivery. So the workforce is about producing the health professionals. They are going to deliver the rehabilitation services and uh we have many of them uh physiootherapist who deal with movement impairment movement specialist rehabilitate people to be able to move them from disability uh and be able to interact with the environment. We have occupational therapist that deal mostly at that level of participation, meaning they help people that have handicap to be able to uh go into their jobs and and be able to do most of the activities of daily living that they need to do in the communities. We have speech therapists that deal with the speech and then the uh the aiologist uh that deal with hearing and then prosthetics and autoics that help people with assistive devices or artificial limbs. But there are also clinical psychologist that help people that have psychological problems to be able to integrate them into the other aspects of uh rehabilitation but also physiatrist or physical medicine and there's also rehabilitation nursing, social workers. So we need all this. Uh in Nigeria we have medical doctors, we have nurses, we have physiotherapist.

[00:33:21]uh the physiotherapists are just less than 8,000 registered in the whole country and we don't have middle level manpower community rehabilitation workers that will go into the community and therefore what the ministry of health has done the coordinating minister of health approved that rehabilitation should be integrated in the primary healthcare and what we did was from the WH document that were developed for the rehabilitation initiative of 2030 there is PI packages of intervention for rehabilitation. What it does is to list all the interventions, the equipments required and who should deliver the services and they categorize them at the different levels of the health system and therefore we use that document extract that of primary healthcare and we submitted to the ministry and the minister approved and it has been institutionalized at the primary health care agency at the moment. So apart from the workforce the service delivery very important that how do you deliver service what are the referral mechanisms when someone gets to the primary healthcare center and he's assessed identified that they need rehabilitation you refer to the general hospital from general hospital you refer to a specialist hospital so these are all things that are happening at the moment but also something very important community rehabilitation >> all right >> MBTE E uh the board, our board and community uh practitioners board working on coming up with a curriculum for community rehabilitation workers that can go into the community and primary healthcare levels to be able to deliver rehabilitation services.

[00:34:58]>> All right. Uh professor, let's uh take a breather now and uh the news will continue after this messages. Don't go anywhere.

[00:35:09]>> Thanks for being there. I still have with me in the studio professor Ysef Ahmed the registar CEO of the medical rehabilitation therapist registration board of Nigeria. Now pro very quickly let's go to funding beyond government funding is there a role for private sector investment in driving this rehabilitation agenda forward?

[00:35:32]>> Uh thank you. Yes, definitely. Uh the part of the rehabilitation 2030 initiative, one of the very fundamental uh aspect of it is the issue of rehabilitation financing. In fact, the BHO has come up with a document on rehabilitation financing. Looking at how do you even prepare, how do you do needs assessment of equipment, uh the the the the workforce and many other things that are required. How do you do costing for it? And then how do you do a brief for all those that will be involved in financing? So if the government considers part of it in the budget, then you can be able to present that brief to the uh all other NOS's and other funding bodies that are interested in a funding rehabilitation. One of the problems that Nigeria has had with the issue of other stakeholders funding rehabilitation Nigeria was the fact that there was no policy and strategic plan. And most organizations would want to look at your policy or your organ strategic plan to be able to see where they can key in and then they will put it as part of their own budget for the year that they want to give you the funding. Uh so that document is there with the strategic plan and policy coming up very soon.

[00:36:49]This is going to facilitate NOS's and many other stakeholders to be able to fund rehabilitation in addition to what government has been doing and what government will continue to do with financing. Of course, we know that two other major issues, budget lines. If you don't have a budget line for rehabilitation, it might be subsumed into other budget lines and that will affect rehabilitation because it might not be compulsory for someone to put it into rehabilitation. But if there is budget line for financing for financial rehabilitation, it will be compulsory.

[00:37:19]You must spend into rehabilitation.

[00:37:22]Another thing is the NHI. In the past, there was only physiootherapy was covered and also based on condition uh in the pricing for services in the NHI.

[00:37:32]But there was a submission. We made a submission to the coordinating minister and it was approved and the NHIA is now reviewing its pricing to be according to the interventions given rather than the conditions but also not just physiootherapy let it cover occupational therapy, speech therapy, aiology, prosthetics and autoics and all other rehabilitation services that are offered in our hospitals.

[00:37:53]>> All right. And now with uh these uh finances and uh budgets being taken care of, how accessible and uh will it be for uh the people that are in need of these services? How accessible? Well, I think access we are talking now about universal health coverage. And with universal health coverage, we are having three different aspects, very important aspects. Who is covered? It doesn't matter whether you are rich or you are poor. It doesn't matter whether you are living in the rural area or in the uh uh uh urban areas. Uh and also the second thing is about the issue what is covered. So the services you have medicine you have nursing you have physotherapy you have occupational therapy just like I've mentioned all of them and at the moment as I've said it's not there in the primary healthcare level but with this implementation at the primary healthcare level and having community reputation workers being supervised by the professionals this is going to increase accessibility. Another thing that has happened recently that's very significant is the minister of education approved that 20 universities should start all those professions that have not been on ground occupational therapy speech therapy aiology prosthetics and it is we have less than 500 we have registered less than 500 in the whole country but with this initiative 20 universities starting in all the regions of the country we are going to have an increase in the number and that will be significant the minister of state for Health has also approved a PPP project where the professionals that have not been engaged in government who work or don't have private practices can come up with proposals work with the hospitals to be able to partner and establish a PPP so that so many people that are out there not having a job cannot be able to have a job and that will increase the accessibility. So with all these plans I believe we are going to have more access to rehabilitation.

[00:39:42]>> Okay. Many thanks uh uh professor Rafi.

[00:39:44]uh very quickly. Now implementation is often uh where good policies face their biggest test. What is the assurance that uh this initiative would not uh just be swept under the carpet?

[00:39:59]>> Well, for us as rehabilitation practitioners, I must say that this is our best time. We have the renewed top agenda that focuses on health reforms and this is health reform. We have ministers that are pushing for these agendas to be implemented because all the minister that I've mentioned have given evidence that these are the things that they have done to improve the rehabilitation services in Nigeria. But most importantly the minister according to minister of health has approved that the rehabilitation 2030 initiative of the who should be implemented. There are four stages. We have already completed the first stage which is the situation assessment. who was with us here last month 28th and 29th and we did the validation of the situation report.

[00:40:41]Currently the strategic plan and policy have been developed and the ministry we are hoping is going to present the policy at the next national council on health because the moment it's approved then it's going to be owned by the federal and the states and then implementation will will be uh streamlined.

[00:40:58]>> All right Prof. Thank you very much. I know you still have uh loads of information to give us but let's quickly take this break then we'll come right back.

[00:41:07]>> Prestigious.

[00:41:11]>> Good afternoon. You're still there and my guest has been the fourth register and chief executive officer of the medical rehabilitation therapist registration board of Nigeria professor Rafa Akbed. Thanks for your insight on Wikip.

[00:41:24]>> Thank you very much pleasure to be here.

[00:41:27]moving on ahead of the governorship primary election of the All Progressive Congress APC Nasar State the renewed hope grassroot movement has support for a governorship aspirant and former director general national agency for science and engineering infrastructure professor Muhammad Sani Haruna describing him as most qualified and experienced aspirant in the governorship race. Secretary of the movement Umar Abdullah at a press briefing in Lafia said national state being an agrarian state needs a visionary leader that will harness its resources for the benefit of all. Aya complet >> ahead of the governorship primary election slated for Tuesday 21st May 2026. Renewed hope grassroots movement in Nasra state has called on all party members to support Professor Muhammad Sani Haruna to clinch the party's ticket. Secretary of the movement Omar Abdulahi explained that Professor Haruna has demonstrated leadership in the last few years as a public servant and impacted so many lives positively. The renewed hope grassroots movement appealed to concerned citizens and meaningful individuals to rally around him stressing that if given the opportunity he will bring the desired progress and development in the state.

[00:42:57]The renewed hope grassroot movement state confidently endorse professor Muhammad Sani Harona as the best candidate to lead state. We believe his experience, vision and proven uh and proven capacity to deliver will accelerate development, unite the people and align nas with president president Bola's renew hope agenda.

[00:43:28]>> The renewed hope grassroots movement is a non-political group comprising of youths and women across the state in Lafia. Ayena out NTE news. The >> time now to join Franciscoca B for sport update. Franciscoca.

[00:43:46]>> Hello Lid. Welcome to sports update. Now Nadri has recorded another major milestone in international sports administration as Abdullah Muhammad has been appointed a member of the Commonwealth Games Archery Committee.

[00:43:58]The appointment was confirmed by the World Arty Federation with Abdullah Muhammad listed first among the newly appointed members. He currently serves as president of the Nigeria Atriy Federation, vice president of ward Atriy for West and Central Africa and deputy secretary general of the Nigeria Olympic Committee.

[00:44:19]And out of football, Nigeria striker Kichi Ayanacho has won the Scottish Premiership title with Celtic. Yanacho moved to Celtic last summer from English Championship side Middlesbrough to help the Scottish giants win their fourth consecutive league title. Celtic came from behind to stun hats 3-1 to emerge champions on the last day of the season as they finished top of the standings with 82 points two more than hearts stoken football anon simeno emerged the match winner as the as his 72nd minute strike secured a one nil victory for Manchester City over Chelsea in the FA Cup final at Wembley after a goalless first half the Ghanian forward lashed onto a a pass from Ellen Holland to secure the decisive goal, handing City the second trophy of the season following the Caraba Cup triumph two months ago. Smenor would join the citizens during the January transfer window has continued to impress since his arrival. The victory marks Manchester City's eighth FA Cup title and Pep Guardola's 20th major trophy since taking charge of the club 10 years ago.

[00:45:33]That's it and sports update is back to you like day.

[00:45:37]>> Many thanks Franciscoca. And just before we go, when last uh when was the last time you checked your blood pressure?

[00:45:43]Medical experts say that every adult should make it a habit to watch his or her lifestyle. As sedentary life is one of the causes of high blood pressure and hypertension. Commemorated every May 16th, the World Hypertation Day aims to highlight the global burden of high blood pressure, often called the silent killer because it's usually has no symptoms, but significantly increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, and premature death. An estimated 1.4 billion people worldwide live with hypertension, yet only one in four have their blood pressure adequately controlled. So always remember to encourage engage in regular blood pressure monitoring, lifestyle changes such as healthy diet, physical activity, reduced salt intake, limiting alcohol and avoiding tobacco. So stay safe, stay healthy on weekend. Many thanks for being a part of it on large day below.