Category: Daily Trust

Understanding Patient Engagement

Patient engagement is a crucial element in the success of any healthcare practice, including dentistry. Engaged patients are more likely to attend their appointments, adhere to treatment plans, and participate in their care. In the dental field, enhancing patient engagement can lead to better health outcomes, improved patient satisfaction, and increased practice efficiency. One effective strategy that has gained traction in recent years is the use of dental appointment reminder systems, which play a pivotal role in streamlining communication and fostering a more engaged patient population.

The Importance of Attendance

One of the most significant challenges dental practices face is patient no-shows. Missed appointments not only disrupt the flow of the day but also result in lost revenue and a less efficient practice. Research indicates that no-show rates can be as high as 30% in some practices, leading to frustration among staff and potentially compromising patient care. To mitigate this issue, dental appointment reminder systems have emerged as a valuable tool to enhance patient engagement and reduce no-show rates. By sending automated reminders via text, email, or phone calls, practices can ensure that patients are aware of their upcoming appointments and the importance of attending.

Building Stronger Patient Relationships

Effective communication is fundamental in building strong relationships between dental practices and their patients. Dental appointment reminder systems contribute to this goal by providing timely and relevant information to patients. When patients receive reminders about their appointments, they feel valued and informed, which fosters a sense of trust and loyalty. This trust can translate into patients being more receptive to following recommended treatment plans and engaging in preventive care measures.

Furthermore, these systems can be customized to convey additional information beyond just appointment reminders. For instance, practices can use reminders to educate patients about upcoming treatments, share oral health tips, or inform them about new services. By providing valuable content, practices can enhance patient engagement and demonstrate their commitment to the overall well-being of their patients.

Reducing Administrative Workload

In a busy dental practice, administrative tasks can consume a significant amount of time and resources. Dental appointment reminder systems alleviate some of this burden by automating the reminder process. As a result, staff can focus on more critical tasks, such as patient care and relationship building. Automation not only saves time but also reduces the chances of human error in appointment scheduling and reminders. Practices can also use analytics from these systems to identify patterns in patient behavior, allowing them to make data-driven decisions to improve engagement strategies.

Enhancing Accessibility and Convenience

In today’s fast-paced world, convenience plays a crucial role in patient engagement. Dental appointment reminder systems enhance accessibility by allowing patients to confirm, reschedule, or cancel their appointments with minimal effort. Many systems offer online portals where patients can manage their appointments at their convenience. This level of accessibility is particularly important for younger generations who prefer digital communication methods over traditional phone calls.

Additionally, these systems can send reminders at strategic times-such as a week before the appointment and again 24 hours prior-ensuring that patients have ample opportunity to adjust their schedules if needed. By making the appointment process more convenient, practices can reduce no-show rates and foster a more engaged patient base.

Encouraging Preventive Care

Engaged patients are more likely to prioritize their oral health and participate in preventive care measures. Dental appointment reminder systems can play an essential role in promoting preventive care by reminding patients not only of their upcoming appointments but also of recommended check-ups or cleanings. Timely reminders can encourage patients to maintain regular dental visits, which are critical for early detection of potential issues and maintaining oral health.

Moreover, practices can utilize these systems to send additional reminders about preventive measures, such as teeth whitening or fluoride treatments. By providing patients with information and encouragement about preventive care, practices can enhance patient engagement and contribute to better overall health outcomes.

Leveraging Technology for Improved Engagement

The integration of technology in dental practices has transformed how patient engagement is approached. Dental appointment reminder systems represent one of many technological advancements that can facilitate communication and improve the patient experience. Many modern systems offer features such as two-way messaging, which allows patients to respond directly to reminders, ask questions, or communicate concerns. This interactive communication can enhance patient engagement by making patients feel heard and supported.

Additionally, as practices increasingly adopt telehealth options, reminder systems can integrate virtual appointment features, allowing patients to receive notifications about both in-person and online consultations. This flexibility not only accommodates patient preferences but also encourages patients to seek care more readily, further enhancing engagement.

Measuring Success and Making Adjustments

To maximize the effectiveness of dental appointment reminder systems, practices must regularly assess their performance. Monitoring key metrics such as appointment attendance rates, patient feedback, and overall engagement levels can provide valuable insights into how well the system is working. Practices can then make necessary adjustments to their reminder strategies based on this data. For example, if a particular demographic is experiencing higher no-show rates, practices might tailor reminders to better suit that group’s communication preferences.

Engaging patients is an ongoing process that requires continuous refinement and adaptation. By regularly evaluating the impact of their dental appointment reminder systems and making adjustments, practices can ensure they are meeting the needs of their patient population effectively.

In conclusion, dental appointment reminder systems represent a significant advancement in modern practice management, offering a multifaceted approach to enhancing patient engagement. By improving communication, reducing no-shows, and fostering stronger patient relationships, these systems can play a pivotal role in the overall success of a dental practice. As technology continues to evolve, practices that embrace these tools will not only improve operational efficiency but also create a more engaged and satisfied patient base.

The Adamawa State Government has signed a landmark broadcasting service agreement with the Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) to expand the coverage of Adamawa Television (ATV) across West Africa.

The agreement, which aligns with Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri’s digital transformation agenda under Adamawa 2.0, will see the state lease 2MHz on the Ku-band of NIGCOMSAT-1R satellite. This capacity is expected to deliver reliable coverage, high availability, and a significantly wider broadcast footprint for ATV, extending its reach to a much larger part of the continent.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Hon. Iliya James, described the deal as a major step in modernising state-owned media.

‘This collaboration with NIGCOMSAT is a big leap in our quest to reposition Adamawa Television for digital broadcasting,’ the commissioner said. ‘With this agreement, we are expanding our reach, deepening access to information, and showcasing Adamawa to the rest of Africa.’

Also speaking, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Hon. Barr. Awwal D. Tukur, said the milestone was made possible through the visionary leadership of Governor Fintiri, who has prioritized digital innovation and e-governance as drivers of development.

Officials from NIGCOMSAT assured of their full support in helping Adamawa achieve its broadcasting ambitions, noting that the Ku-band lease will ensure seamless transmission with wider coverage.

The agreement marks a new chapter for ATV as it transitions into a stronger, more connected digital broadcaster capable of promoting government programmes, investment opportunities, and the rich cultural heritage of Adamawa to audiences across Africa.

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Print Media, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, has dismissed political coalitions being championed by some opposition figures, describing their promoters as ‘politically expired, bitter individuals driven by personal vendetta.’

Abdulaziz spoke during an interactive session with journalists at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Kano on Tuesday.

Reacting to questions on whether the presidency was worried about the coalition moves ahead of 2027, he said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remained ‘completely unperturbed.’

‘The president, I can tell you, is unperturbed. He is completely not disturbed. He is not in any way jittery about whether it is coalition or any political formation. Because, one, is that the people that are championing these things, most of them are politically expired. There are people with no political weight or relevance that would jitter the government or the president. We have had serial contesters who had, you know, thrown their hearts into the ring on many occasions. And they were fully lost. And nothing much has changed. In fact, their star is dimming,’ he said.

He argued that the so-called coalition leaders were only concerned with their exclusion from power rather than the welfare of Nigerians.

‘Then secondly, you should also know that these are a group of bitter individuals. People driven by personal vendetta and a sense of personal loss. And their concern is not the people, is not the ordinary Nigerians. Their concern is that they are not on the table. And Nigerians have sufficiently understood this. And that is why the coalition is not catching fire as they thought it would,’ he added.

Abdulaziz maintained that Tinubu’s leadership style was focused on tough but necessary reforms rather than political expediency.

‘There is a difference between leadership and politics. Politics is a game of popularity. Leadership is a game of nation building. And that is what President Tinubu is doing. To really take hard-hitting decisions, even if they affect him personally. But those decisions that he feels are for the good of the country,’ he said, citing infrastructure projects, the student loan scheme, and subsidy reforms as examples.

On concerns that the administration was concentrating major projects in the South, Abdulaziz said such claims were ‘largely political,’ stressing that the president has continued with multi-billion naira projects in the North, including the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano gas pipeline, the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano highway, and the Kano-Katsina-Maradi rail line.

‘If this man is wicked or doesn’t like the North, he could leave these projects to be abandoned. He can withhold financing. If there is no financing, these projects will stagnate or will even naturally die. But none of these projects that he inherited, which are massive, are actually stopped,’ he said.

Abdulaziz added that the Tinubu administration was also embarking on new projects such as the Sokoto-Badagry highway, stressing that development under the president was ‘holistic and not fragmented.’

Two Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) have been arrested by the police over the alleged killing of 72-year-old Abba Mustapha over alleged witchcraft, in Ngala LGA of Borno State.

The spokesman of the police, ASP Kenneth Daso Nahun, confirmed that the two people suspected to be involved have been arrested, and the investigation is ongoing.

He said the incident, which happened at the ISS IDP camp on Saturday, has created tension, but the prompt intervention of the police calmed the situation.

‘The suspects, one Modu Mohammed, 25, and Annami Modu, 32, accused the deceased of bewitching the wife of one of them, who fell ill. ‘They went to the victim’s house and beat him with sticks. Our men rescued him and conveyed him to the hospital, where he was confirmed dead,’ he said.

He said that the body of the deceased has been released to his family for burial, while an investigation has been launched to ensure justice.

He urged the community to report incidents to the police instead of resorting to violence.

The Commandant Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, Olusola Odumosu PhD, has ordered the deployment of 4500 personnel across the nook and crannies of the FCT ahead of this year’s Independence Day celebration.

A statement by the spokesperson of the Command, DSC Monica Ojobi, on Monday, said the deployment is in a bid to ensure security of lives and property as well as Critical National Assets and Infrastructure in the FCT and its environs before, during and after the celebration.

The deployment of officers and men cuts across specialised departments and units such as Female Strike Force, Arms Squad, Operation Adakasu, Critical National Assets and Infrastructure (CNAI), and Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosives (CBRNE).

According to the statement. There is also a massive deployment to vulnerable locations and soft targets such as shopping malls, recreational centres, prayer grounds, markets, motor parks, amusement parks, City Gate, 3 Arms Zone, government buildings and areas housing Critical National Assets and Infrastructure.

‘In a bid to ensure proactiveness and prevent emergency or unforeseen circumstances, men of our undercover unit have already been deployed for covert operations and surveillance.

‘Black spots like uncompleted buildings that harbour criminals are also covered to avert security breaches,’ it added.

Dr Odumosu gave matching orders to all Area Commanders and Divisional Officers to ensure their respective area councils are on top of their game and ensure their presence is felt to avoid security hitches, according to the statement.

Suspected Boko Haram terrorists have killed two people and burnt down the palace of the District Head of Kirawa town of Gwoza LGA of Borno State.

Daily Trust gathered that the incident happened when the terrorists infiltrated the community bordering Cameroon on Monday night.

‘They killed two civilians, and another one was abducted by the assailants. Many people have fled to Cameroon, for fear of another attack. The insurgents also burnt other buildings in the community.’ ‘In fact, we are all afraid that the town is no longer secure because the Cameroonian soldiers protecting us have left,’ said a source identified simply as Ibrahim.

Senator Mohammed Ndume, (APC, Borno South) confirmed the attack, saying the community, which resettled recently, have witnessed renewed attacks.

‘The attacks on Kirawa and other communities have become a source of concern. Many resilient IDPs, supported by Governor Zulum, have returned to their ancestral homes,’ he said.

He commended the efforts of Nigerian troops in the fight against insurgency, and appealed for establishment of military ‘platoons’ in vulnerable communities.

He also called on the federal government to fortify the military with drones and attack helicopters to reinforce the attack pattern of the military.

The attack came barely three days after the insurgents ambushed the civilian JTF members escorting passengers on Kirawa -Pulka road, killed one and set ablaze six commercial vehicles.

Last month, a military base was dislodged by the insurgents in the area, killing four soldiers under the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) and abducted a teenage girl.

The Gbenga Hashim Solidarity Movement (GHSM) has declared that former President Goodluck Jonathan will not enjoy a ‘free ride’ to the presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2027.

Reacting to remarks credited to Professor Jerry Gana suggesting Jonathan’s possible comeback on the PDP, the GHSM National Coordinator, Abdulrazaq Hamzat, said the PDP flagbearer would only emerge through an open and transparent primaries in line with the Electoral Act 2022.

Hamzat said, ‘With due respect, Professor Jerry Gana is entitled to his enthusiasm about the return of former President Jonathan. However, only PDP delegates to the national convention can pick the party’s flagbearer, and ultimately, God Almighty will determine the outcome, not a few party stalwarts,’ Hamzat said in a statement.

Hamzat argued that Nigerians were yearning for progress, not a return to the past, warning that Jonathan represents an ‘old order’ many citizens are ready to consign to history.

He said, ‘The Jonathan era cannot be painted as a perfect time. It was a period when the diversity of our nation began to be deeply mismanaged, rekindling ethnic tensions and religious bigotry, a legacy that has unfortunately worsened under subsequent governments,’ he added.

He also revisited Jonathan’s foreign policy record, faulting Nigeria’s decision in 2011 to break ranks with the African Union and support NATO’s intervention in Libya.

He described the move as a ‘strategic blunder’ that destabilized the Sahel and aggravated insecurity across Nigeria, Mali, Chad, Niger, Burkina Faso, and other West African countries.

On the domestic scene, the GHSM leader insisted that Jonathan still has questions to answer on corruption allegations that trailed his administration, particularly the infamous Dasukigate arms procurement scandal.

Hamzat, however, affirmed that the PDP remains a democratic platform where no aspirant, including former presidents, should expect automatic endorsement.

‘If President Jonathan desires a return to Aso Rock, he must be ready to square up with nationally unifying aspirants such as Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim in an open and transparent primary,’ Hamzat declared.

He maintained that Nigerians deserve fresh leadership and a new vision to tackle the nation’s challenges, insisting that ‘the only way forward is forward, not backward.’

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has said that Nigeria is not yet where it is supposed to be in its journey through 65 years of independence.

However, he urged Nigerians not to lose hope despite the persistent challenges of poverty, insecurity and mistrust.

The governor, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Dr Sulaiman Wali, spoke on Monday at a pre-independence public lecture held at the Coronation Hall, Kano Government House, as part of activities to mark Nigeria’s 65th independence anniversary.

‘Nigeria at 65 is still far from the nation of our dreams. But this is not a reason to despair; it is a call to action. Unity is not about uniformity, but about celebrating our differences while working towards a common destiny,’ he said. He called on citizens to take ownership of nation-building by participating actively in democratic processes, supporting security initiatives, and embracing youth development programmes.

‘Security is not just the absence of war or crime; it is the presence of justice, opportunity, and unity,’ he added.

As Nigeria marks its 65th independence anniversary, the governor said Kano is determined to chart a new course where its youth are seen as agents of peace, innovation, and development, rather than tools for violence and division.

He said Nigeria’s milestone anniversary should serve not just as a celebration but as a moment of sober reflection on how citizens and leaders alike can contribute to national unity, peace, and prosperity.

‘I stand before you today filled with pride, gratitude, and responsibility. Pride, because we are gathered to celebrate Nigeria at 65; gratitude, because it allows us to reflect on our journey; and responsibility, because as leaders and citizens, we must translate noble words into concrete actions,’ Yusuf said.

The governor stressed that security goes beyond deploying weapons or security forces but involves creating opportunities for justice, economic empowerment, and unity.

‘The Safe Corridor Initiative’s rehabilitation and reintegration approach can turn despair into hope and danger into opportunity. It teaches us that no life is beyond redemption if society chooses to guide rather than abandon,’ he added.

Earlier, Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, presented a paper titled: ‘Safe Corridor Initiative – The Kano Model: A Special Intervention Project of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to Address Thuggery and Other Related Crimes in Kano State Through a Non-Kinetic Approach.’

The commissioner explained that the initiative targets repentant political thugs and drug users by providing counselling, de-radicalisation, skills acquisition, empowerment, and reintegration into society.

According to him, the programme is anchored on the recognition that the state’s youthful population is an asset that must be properly harnessed rather than allowed to drift into crime.

The decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to consider registering new political parties has stirred debate among analysts, politicians and observers, with concerns over whether the move will strengthen or weaken Nigeria’s democracy.

On September 11, INEC announced that 14 political associations had met the initial requirements to proceed to the next stage of registration. If successful, they would join the existing 19 recognised parties, raising the total to 33.

This development comes five years after INEC de-registered 74 out of 92 political parties in the country for failing to meet constitutional requirements for continuous existence. INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, explained at the time that the affected parties had failed to secure the minimum electoral threshold as stipulated in Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

For the fresh exercise, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, said the commission had received 171 applications from associations seeking registration as political parties, but only 14 scaled the first hurdle. The associations include the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), African Transformation Party (ATP), Advance Nigeria Congress (ANC), Abundance Social Party (ASP), African Alliance Party (AAP), Citizens Democratic Alliance (CDA), Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA), Grassroots Initiative Alliance (GRIP), Green Future Party (GFP), Liberation People’s Party (LPP), National Democratic Party (NDP), National Reform Party (NRP), Patriotic People’s Alliance (PPA) and People’s Freedom Party (PFP).

According to INEC, ‘Each request was assessed on the basis of its prima facie compliance with Section 222 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), Section 79 (1, 2 and 4) of the Electoral Act 2022 and Clause 2 (i and ii) of the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties 2022.’

Daily Trust, however, gathered that some interim leaders of the proposed parties were officials of the de-registered parties in 2020.

For instance, Rev. Olusegun Peters, former national chairman of the de-registered Democratic People’s Congress (DPC), now leads the proposed Allied Conservative Congress (ACC). Though not among the 14 cleared, ACC is listed among the 171 associations seeking registration.

Peters recently said ACC was determined to win the 2027 presidential poll and redirect Nigeria on a conservative ideological path if registered.

Questions and scepticisms

The move has raised questions about whether the new associations, if eventually registered, will make any meaningful difference in the political space.

Some observers fear they could face the same fate as the 74 de-registered parties. Others doubt their capacity to win elections or address Nigeria’s governance challenges.

Concerns have also been raised about whether the new platforms will meet electoral thresholds or present manifestos that foster unity, inclusivity and democratic growth. Critics argue that if leaders of defunct parties are returning with new platforms, the outcome may not change.

On the other hand, some analysts maintain that democracy thrives on healthy competition, and more parties would give Nigerians wider choices at the polls. They argue that while opposition parties have failed in their roles and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has been accused of bad governance, new parties could provide alternatives.

Bad omen for democracy?

Elder statesman and former presidential candidate, Chief Chekwas Okorie, expressed concern over the recurring cycle of registration and deregistration, describing it as a ‘bad omen for democracy.’

Okorie, founder of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and later the United Progressives Party (UPP), which was de-registered in 2020, told Daily Trust that opposition parties should be allowed to exist to provide alternatives for political heavyweights denied tickets in big parties.

He said ‘After another round of elections, another round of de-registration will commence. I have never seen a country that operates this kind of confused system. Since the government no longer pays grants to political parties, those registered should be allowed to remain on the register. The beauty of the multi-party system is that when people don’t get space in major parties, they can still contest under smaller ones.

‘Many political parties have collapsed on their own without de-registration because it costs money to maintain a party office and staff. When a party is inactive, its leaders eventually give up.’

Similarly, Hon. Bernard Mikko, a political scientist and former federal lawmaker from Rivers State, said INEC should register all qualified associations, describing it as a ‘good omen for democracy.’

Mikko, a former PDP governorship aspirant who later joined APC, said:

Once the associations meet requirements, INEC should register them. Those that fall short or fail to win elections can then be de-registered, but the process must be transparent. It shouldn’t look like witch-hunting. There is freedom of association, and these are constitutional matters.’

New parties not the

solution – Analysts

Other analysts, however, argue that new parties will not solve Nigeria’s problems.

Political analyst, Jackson Lekan Ojo told Daily Trust that existing parties already provide enough choices, describing the proposed ones as ‘political liabilities’.

‘New parties won’t make any difference. They can’t even make a positive noise for change. They are just wasting INEC’s stationery. Nigerians should be able to join from the existing ones,’ he said.

Another analyst, Aminu Yakudima, said the proposed 14 parties, including ADA, might not survive electoral thresholds, let alone win elections.

‘Most of these parties don’t have viable manifestos or grassroots structures. Forming a party requires resources, experience and membership mobilisation. Without these, they cannot add value to the electoral process. The 2027 elections will be between two or three parties – APC, PDP and maybe ADC,’ he said.

Also, former PDP deputy publicity secretary and now APC chieftain, Barrister Abdullahi Jalo, argued that Nigeria’s real problem lies in governance, not the proliferation of parties.

He said: ‘Registration of new parties is constitutional but a waste of time and resources. Our problem is governance and leadership. Even the existing parties are not living up to expectations. What Nigeria needs is accountability and reforms, not more parties.’

With Kwara State facing a housing deficit of over one million units, private investors have begun to step in to support government efforts in addressing the challenge.

Speaking at a programme to mark its third anniversary in Il?rin, Group Managing Director of Experience Vision Creation (EVC), Engr Fola Oyedeji, said the company’s entry into Kwara was aimed at introducing a standard housing model similar to what is obtainable in Lagos, Port Harcourt and other top cities in the country.

He noted that the housing deficit nationwide is estimated at between 28 and 32 million, stressing that no single government could shoulder such a burden.

According to him, public private partnerships remain the most realistic option to close the gap and provide affordable homes.

‘Three years ago when we started in Kwara, awareness was very low. Today, more developers have come on board, creating competition that prevents monopoly and offers civil servants and other residents wider choices,’ Oyedepo said.

He added that the company’s projects are designed with long-term planning and attention to detail, while the state’s ongoing infrastructure drive has further boosted investor confidence in the housing sector.

Kwara State Commissioner for Works, AbdulQowiy Olododo, who was present at the event, said his attendance was to support youth participation in the industry.

He described the initiative as consistent with the government’s vision for urban planning, city expansion and the smart city project.

Operations Manager of EVC, Mahmoud Babatunde, said the anniversary activities were designed to highlight the company’s growth over three years and its role in housing delivery.

He explained that the programme was marked with project allocations, staff community service and public engagements.

According to him, the anniversary served as a point of reflection on the company’s operations and its plans for the future.