Finally, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, and the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare

Today, I am proud to announce that we have taken a major step forward in our commitment to the wellbeing of Kebbi State’s dedicated workers. I issued an important directive during a recent meeting with the leadership of the Kebbi branch of the Nigeria Labor Congress (NLC) at the Government House in Birnin Kebbi.

I have ordered annual leave payments to be paid immediately to all categories of workers across the state. This move is designed to ensure our workers get their fair share of what they truly deserve. From Wednesday tomorrow we will begin the payment process and all our staff, whether in state, local government or Local Government Education Agency (LGEA), will receive a flat rate of 10% of their annual salary.

I would like to stress that this decision was based on considerations of fairness and justice. In my capacity as governor and as someone who knows the inner workings of our state, I know that previous administrations have only subsidized certain categories of workers at 7% to 8%, leaving only a lucky few at the 10% level.

Recognizing the challenges our people face, I want to assure you that I am part of the Presidential Commission that has been working to develop measures to mitigate the impact of eliminating fuel subsidies. So far we have received 2 billion naira out of the 5 billion naira pledged by the federal government and Kebbi state and its 21 local government committees will contribute 3.5 to 4 billion naira to buy food for distribution, easing the subsidy Cancel.

I wish to assure the NLC that you will receive your fair share individually and distribute it among your members. Remember, this is not just my government; This is your government, and I encourage you to have faith in our shared vision.

We have begun projects that directly benefit our people and we are committed to making our country a better place. In our initiative, we are actively in discussions with Inossem Motors Nigeria Ltd. for the procurement of vehicles for the National Transport Service, which will help subsidize the transport costs of our citizens.

Finally

the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, and the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Tunji Alausa, unveiled the four-point agenda for the health sector.
they are:

Improve the governance of the medical and health system. This means strengthening existing laws and developing new ones that reflect global realities.

– Improve population health. This is quite broad as it relates to affordability, accessibility, insurance, education and training of medical staff, funding and equipment.

Medical industrialization and value chain. This involves the health economy.

Strengthen health and safety protection. Health security includes countries’ activities and responses to public health threats. Access to health care, access to preventive medicines, vaccination programs and epidemic control are part of a well-designed health security strategy.

I look forward to a comprehensive policy document, but we must acknowledge the thoughtfulness of these policies.

My main concern has always been funding and political will.

Globally, health care budgets are expected to account for more than 10% of total national budgets each year. The best Nigeria achieved under GEJ was 6% and that happened once.

We must find clever ways to fund health care. A good way to do this is comprehensive health insurance and liberalization of the healthcare system. Bringing in private players while protecting vulnerable groups (pregnant women, children and the elderly). Give higher education institutions autonomy. Establish a health care trust fund.

I also heard that the healthcare system is going to be completely digital.

Professor Pater does have his work cut out for him. I wish him all the best.