Category: Daily Trust

A cross section of residents in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have appealed to the federal government to implement people-oriented policies that will alleviate economic hardship in the country.

They made the appeal in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the 65th Independence anniversary celebrations of the country.

NAN reports the independence anniversary with the theme, ‘Nigeria @ 65: All Hands-on Deck for a Greater Nation” is featuring a blend of religious, civic and cultural activities including the Independence Day parade across the states on Oct.1.

Speaking on the anniversary, the residents called on the Federal Government to proffer lasting solutions to the hardship brought about by the economic reforms initiated by the President Bola Tinubu’s administration. They urged the government to look into various sectors of the economy and initiate policies and programmes that would ease their sufferings.

Alh. Ibrahim Musa, a businessman in Bwari, said that the two-pronged policies of fuel subsidy removal and unification of foreign exchange window, introduced by President Tinubu on assumption of office, have taken tolls on businesses and livelihood.

Musa said the policies brought about economic hardship with crumbling impacts on small businesses like his own, which are struggling to stay afloat.

According to him, the removal of fuel subsidies, in particular, had led to high transportation costs, causing daily price hikes for commodities.

‘Both traders and consumers are struggling to cope. Even my business, which once thrived, is no longer booming.

‘Sometimes, I sell goods below their cost prices just to break even and feed my family. If things continue like this, I’ll eventually go out of business.

‘A country with rich natural resources as Nigeria shouldn’t be plagued by hunger. We have everything needed to feed ourselves. Our biggest problem is corruption and bad policies,” Musa said.

Mr Charles Ibe, a lecturer, emphasised the need for the government to diversify the economy beyond the oil sector.,

According to him, the oil dependent economy is no longer sustainable, the government must explore other areas, such as agriculture, mining, and tourism to boost the economy.

Ibe noted that fuel subsidy removal was well intended, but the effects had worsened the country’s economic situation and increased the poverty rate.

He said the excess funds accruing from the removal of subsidy should be plowed to visible infrastructure development and poverty alleviating programmes

‘Most of our infrastructure, including roads, public schools and hospitals, require urgent attention.

‘Celebrating 65 years of independence while key sectors struggle is hollow.

‘Nigeria has immense potential for greatness, with abundant mineral resources, fertile soil for agriculture, and favourable weather.

‘These resources should be harnessed to improve citizens’ lives. Given our wealth, no Nigerian should live in poverty.

‘However, corruption has reduced many Nigerians to beggars in their own country,’ he said.

Mr Stanley Osho, a civil servant in Gwagwalada said that an average civil servant could not afford a decent accommodation as the cost of house rent continued to skyrocket.

Osho said that the 65th independence anniversary would have been a big celebration for Nigerians ‘if things are looking up for the country’.

‘The incessant increase in house rent is a serious concern to many civil servants.

‘Most of us with families, cannot afford a decent two-bedroom flat in the suburbs, talk more of the city centre.

‘What we are witnessing now in the FCT is civil servants relocating to areas with little or no infrastructure and security just to cut cost,’ he said.

Osho added: ‘It may also interest you to know that most civil servants go to their offices twice or thrice in a week now because of the high cost of transportation.

‘All these are having devastating consequences on productivity and the economy,’ he said

Osho urged the government to regulate house rents and provide affordable public transportation system to make life bearable for the ordinary citizens.

Mr Chinedu Okafor, a teacher in Mararaba, Nasarawa State, said, while democracy has given Nigerians freedom of expression and participation, poor governance has hindered development.

He emphasised the need for urgent reforms in the power sector, citing the importance of a steady power supply in attracting investments and fostering business growth.

”Without reliable electricity, industries struggle to thrive and businesses can’t grow. The government must prioritise fixing the power sector,” he stressed.

Mrs Confidence Samuel, another civil servant, said workers are bearing the brunt of the current economic hardship, the more.

According to her, civil servants’ monthly salaries could barely cover their expenses for two weeks.

She said the N70,000 minimum wage is no longer sustainable with the economic realities and soaring cost of living.

While calling for upward review of the minimum wage, Samuel also underscored the need for targeted government interventions to boost food production, stabilise prices, and make basic amenities more affordable

Some residents, however, expressed the optimism that things would improve and Nigeria would be great again

Mr Akpoko Uloko, a civil servant, said that Nigeria’s independence holds great significance for him, stressing that over the years, the country has made notable progress in various sectors.

According to him, although, the economy has not reached its full potential, significance progress is being made.

Mr James Adeyemi, a cleric in Bwari, said Nigeria’s independence is worth celebrating, notwithstanding the unfavourable economic realities

Adeyemi said that independence celebration is a reminder of the country’s freedom, hope, self-determination and opportunities ahead.

He urged citizens to foster unity and responsibility, while calling on leaders to demonstrate transparency and genuine commitment to addressing national challenges.

‘With Divine guidance and effective leadership, Nigeria can overcome its challenges and build a stronger, more prosperous nation,’ he added.

No doubt, Nigerians are passing through a difficult time because of the reforms the Tinubu’s administration put in place.

Sen. George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), acknowledged this, even, on Monday, at a World Press Briefing to mark the 65th independence anniversary.

According to the SGF, the reforms, though tough, were necessary to stabilise the economy, restore investors’ confidence and lay the foundation for long-term growth.

He, however said that the country is witnessing positive results as inflationary pressures are beginning to ease, foreign investment inflows have shown renewed interest, while job creation initiatives are expanding opportunities for the youths.

According to him, social intervention programmes are also being strengthened to cushion the effects of the reforms on the vulnerable.

Akume appealed to Nigerians in the spirit of celebration to remain resilient, united and committed to the ideals of peace and progress. (NAN)

The value of the Naira is typically compared to the U.S. dollar, which is the most widely used currency for trade and other international transactions and the world’s primary reserve currency.

Luckily for the Naira, the dollar is losing its value. In 2025, the dollar had lost about 11 per cent of its value against major currencies, dropping to its lowest value in over 50 years. Analysts describe it as one of the biggest falls since the 1970s. However, the dollar will recover; even the blind can see that.

But the issue is, what will Nigeria do when that happens? Before we answer that, we must know the value of the Naira at the moment.

Few things stir as much debate in Nigeria as the value of the Naira. It is true that, after years of relentless devaluation due to World Bank and IMF policy prescriptions tied to their loan conditions, the Naira has gained about 11 per cent against the dollar over the past year. The result is a rare moment when the Naira, long seen as perpetually weak, has appreciated even as the world’s reserve currency has stumbled.

Some say it is too strong, kept afloat by Central Bank trickery. Others insist it is too weak, beaten down by years of inflation and policy blunders. Both sides cannot be right. So, is the Naira overvalued or undervalued?

For clarity, when the Naira is overvalued, it means when it trades stronger than its true worth-say the Naira sells at N500 per USD while the fair value is actually N1,000. This will lead to exports suffering as goods will be costly abroad, but imports will become cheaper. On the other hand, the Naira is undervalued when it trades at a price weaker than its fair value-say N1,500 per USD against a fair value of N500. It will gain from exports with cheaper prices abroad, but imports grow costly, fuelling local inflation. For the record, an import-dependent economy should always seek to have cheaper imports.

As of late September, the official market places the Naira at roughly N1,500 to the dollar. On the streets, the going rate is only slightly worse, about N1,515. Compared to the chaos of a few years ago, when the gap between official and parallel rates was wide, this looks like progress on paper.

But the calm on paper only hides a real storm. The cost of the merger is being passed on to the final consumer, resulting in inflation on imported goods. Headline inflation is still punishing, running at over 21 per cent, but the 2025 budget estimated it to be 15 per cent. External debt service this year alone amounts to $5.4 billion. Foreign reserves are recovering but remain fragile. Oil still makes up more than 50 per cent of export earnings in 2025. In short, the fundamentals remain unsteady, but it is not for me to say.

A simple way to check the value of the Naira is by comparing what money buys at home and abroad. The Big Mac Index can be used here because it is a global symbol of standardisation. Assume the Big Mac burger sells for $5.79 in the U.S., while the same burger costs N3900 in Abuja. We can get the ‘implied’ exchange rate by dividing the Abuja price by the American price, which will mean about N1029 to the dollar. If we compare it with the current selling rate of N1,500, the Naira is 31 per cent, or almost three times, weaker than it ‘should’ be. That is the definition of undervaluation.

Another approach comes from the World Bank. Its figures, which compare the purchasing power of whole economies, tell a similar story. In 2023, when the dollar was around N950, the World Bank’s PPP index classified the Naira as undervalued by about 35 per cent. With soaring inflation despite rebasing and multiple devaluations since then, the gap today is probably closer to 200 per cent. In plain words, Nigerian goods and services are three times cheaper than their fair global value-this supports the result from our burger maths.

Of course, not everyone agrees. But in the reality of average Nigerians, where every imported good-from petrol to paracetamol-costs more than ever, most local analysts side with the view that the Naira is undervalued, though perhaps not as dramatically as our burger calculations show.

But let’s be clear, undervaluation is not all bad, especially for an export-oriented economy. A weaker currency makes exports more competitive. Oil, cocoa, sesame, and even manufactured goods all become cheaper to foreign buyers. That is useful for a government keen to diversify beyond oil.

But undervaluation has a dark side, especially for an import-dependent economy. Imports become painfully expensive. Nigerians rely on imports for fuel, pharmaceuticals, spare parts, and machinery. When the Naira trades at a steep discount, these goods cost far more than they should. Inflation rises, wages lose their purchasing power, and the average family feels poorer.

This is the cruel trade-off. What helps the exporter hurts the consumer. A cheap Naira may look good on paper, but on the ground, it is hardship and the cost-of-living crisis. Thanks to the deliberate, imperialist conditions imposed by the World Bank and the IMF, which devalued the Naira, among other reckless policies adopted by administrators of this administration.

So, what next? Much depends on the Central Bank’s ability to reconsider its policies. Dollar reserves are edging back towards $42 billion in 2025 from $33 billion in 2023. Surely, this is some breathing space. As long as the reserves continue to rise and the monetary policy is right, the Naira could even appreciate towards N750 per dollar. That would ease import costs and give consumers some relief.

However, this is pure blue-sky thinking. There are risks everywhere. The scariest part is that with one external action, everything will take the Naira back to its highly volatile position. A shift in US monetary policy, and this is inevitable, will make the dollar stronger. Speculation will likely increase dollar demand, and the Naira will likely be in free fall, with the dollar possibly reaching N2000 or higher. Given the heavy debt service burden, the CBN will have limited firepower to defend the Naira ‘when’ the pressure builds. Of course, we can borrow a leaf from Argentina and see how the US is planning to rescue it.

However we read it, the lesson will be grim. For households, the currency debate is not abstract economics. It is the daily reality of prices in the market. For businesses, it is the difference between competitiveness and collapse. For policymakers, it is a warning: patchwork reforms will not do.

One way to recover the Naira’s value is to address the structural problems-such as blindly accepting World Bank and IMF loan conditions, reliance on imports, overdependence on oil, and a lack of confidence among both local and foreign investors.

Until then, the Naira will remain what it is today: undervalued, unpredictable, and the image of our economic contradictions.

The Federal Government, on Tuesday, announced that the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has agreed to call off its strike following two days of conciliation meetings with the management of Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

The meetings, which held on September 29 and 30, 2025, were convened by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi, and attended by senior government officials, security agencies, and representatives of organised labour.

In a communiqué issued at the end of the meetings, Dingyadi said PENGASSAN’s strike action followed the disengagement of over 800 workers at the Dangote Refinery.

‘The leadership of PENGASSAN explained that the directives given to stop the supply of gas to Dangote Petroleum and the withdrawal of services were in response to the termination of appointment of over 800 members,’ the Minister said.

On its part, management of the refinery maintained that the job cuts were due to ‘ongoing reorganization in the company.’

After hours of deliberation, both parties reached a compromise.

According to the Minister, ‘the management of Dangote Group shall immediately start the process of taking the disengaged staff to other companies within the Dangote Group, with no loss of pay.’

The communiqué also emphasized that no worker would be victimised for their role in the industrial dispute.

On union rights, Dingyadi reaffirmed that ‘unionisation is a right of workers in accordance with the laws of Nigeria and that this right should be respected.’

He further disclosed that PENGASSAN had agreed to begin the process of calling off the strike in good faith.

President Bola Tinubu may go into record as the first number one citizen to return to Lagos to mark Independence Day since the relocation of the capital city to Abuja.

The Independence Day was first held on October 1, 1960, when the Union Jack was lowered and replaced with Nigeria’s Green-White-Green flag.

At that inaugural event which held when Lagos was Nigeria’s capital city, Princess Alexandra of Kent who represented Queen Elizabeth II, presented the constitutional instruments of independence, while Azikiwe was sworn in as Governor-General.

Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa delivered a national address at that auspicious occasion which marked the country’s sovereignty.

After Nigeria’s capital was relocated to Abuja, virtually all leaders, military and civilian, have been marking the symbolic occasion in the capital city.

This year was not going to be an exception until Tinubu, an indigene of Lagos, decided otherwise.

Early signs that this year’s celebration would be marked outside Abuja were noticed after Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, issued a statement on September 26, 2025.

While the opening line of the statement indicated that the president was in Lagos, the subsequent paragraphs were unclear.

The itinerary showed that Tinubu was to visit Imo on the last day of September, then commission the remodelled National Theatre, which has been renamed the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts.

But the statement didn’t say if Tinubu would return to Abuja from Imo or would fly to Lagos for the commissioning after marking the historic occasion in Abuja.

However, by Monday, the cancellation of the Independence Day parade was announced. No key reason was given for this development.

The canceled military parade is a significant part of the Independence Day Celebration.

Before the announcement of the cancellation, some had thought the line-up of activities would go on under Vice-President Shettima, but as of the time this report was filed, the Vice President had not returned to the country from his trip to Germany.

Shettima had departed New York, where he represented Tinubu at the United Nations General Assembly, and headed for Germany.

Text of the speech of the president released by his media team showed it was read in Aso Rock, but the Independence Day celebration certainly goes beyond speech. It is usually accompanied with a whole lot of activities.

The absence of the usual parade and the schedule to commission projects in Lagos have therefore set this year’s celebration apart from all others in recent history.

For many, it rekindled memories of Nigeria’s earliest independence anniversaries when Lagos still served as the capital.

But for others, it raised questions about how future commemorations may be shaped by the personal choices of those in power.

What remains clear is that Tinubu’s ‘decision’ has opened a new chapter into the narrative of Nigeria’s Independence Day celebrations.

The African Tax Administration Forum (ATAF) has backed Nigeria’s tax reforms which culminated in the new tax laws, describing them as necessary for economic growth and development.

The recently-inaugurated Executive Secretary of the continental body, Ms Mary Baine, made the support known during a visit to the chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zacch Adedeji, in Abuja, on Tuesday.

A statement by Dare Adekanmbi, Special Adviser on Media to the FIRS chairman said ATAF stands by Nigeria in reforming its fiscal landscape and pledged the readiness of the body to give technical support in areas that would help in realising the gains of the reforms.

She referenced how the organization had helped Zambia to build capacity in the area of raising revenue from mining, promising to offer support to Nigeria in the same area.

According to her, ATAF is willing to leverage Nigeria’s continental and global influence to mobilise member-countries to strengthen the organisation.

The FIRS chairman, while welcoming the visitors, expressed confidence in the capacity of the Executive Secretary to lead ATAF to glory.

He charged Africans to look inwards for homegrown solutions to challenges, stressing that salvation cannot come from the Western world.

‘My belief has always been that solutions to Africa’s challenges can only come from Africa. There is no free lunch anywhere. I have said that I don’t believe in aids; I believe in cooperation.

‘So, the expectation from us as a continent is also to bring what we can contribute to the work, most especially in tax matters. For us, we have to evolve our own fiscal policy which is what Nigeria has done with the new tax laws.

‘Before now, we had tax laws that were colonial relics. We had the Stamp Duties Act of 1939 which was enacted when there was no internet,’ he said.

Julius Berger, subsidiaries showcase products at Big 5, ECOBANK Expos

By Faruk Shuaibu

Nigeria’s leading engineering construction company Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, last week in Lagos, led its various subsidiaries to make a commanding impression at the recently concluded BIG 5 and ECOBANK Expositions, showcasing the unique innovation, craftsmanship, and expansive portfolio alongside its subsidiaries.

While the Big 5 event took place at the historic Landmark Events Centre, the other held inside the expansive ECOBANK Pan African Centre, Lagos.

Conscious of the opportunity the development presented to stakeholders in the sector, Nigeria’s best in the provision of aluminium and glass solutions, ABUMET, the pioneer in design and engineering in the country, PrimeTech Nigeria Ltd as well as the company’s Excellence Centre and Julius Berger Precast Services stormed the landmark event with new innovations and revised editions of their products and services at the Landmark Event Centre.

Each Julius Berger subsidiary brought their unique flair to the events. From cutting-edge architectural designs to advanced solutions and premium aluminium systems. The stands reflected the group’s commitment to quality, sustainability, and technological advancement.

A Facility Manager and officer in charge of the company’s Excellence Centre, Aleksandar Serafimoski said the Centre has a little bit more diverse portfolio.

The Commercial Manager for the Julius Berger Precast Services, Christian Bauer, said, ‘We are representing Julius Berger, and what we are basically trying to do is to showcase that we are branching out into smaller scales.’

Arsenal centre-back William Saliba says he has signed a new five-year contract at the club because boss Mikel Arteta and his staff can help him ‘become the best’ defender in the world.

The 24-year-old France international’s previous deal was scheduled to expire in June 2027 and speculation had linked him with being a target for Real Madrid.

Saliba joined the Gunners from Ligue 1 side Saint-Etienne in July 2019 and was loaned back to the French club for the 2019-20 season before having further loan spells in Ligue 1 at Nice and Marseille.

He made his Arsenal debut in August 2022 and has established himself as a key member of the side, making 105 league appearances for the Gunners, scoring six goals and

When floods hit and roads vanish, so does access to healthcare. But for Maryam Bello, a tech innovator from Nigeria, that reality became the spark for a movement. As co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Parker’s Mobile Clinic, she’s helping rewrite the rules of healthcare delivery, using data, AI, and community grit to reach those the system often leave behind.

‘I saw neighbours lose access to care when floods struck. And I knew technology could close that gap,’ she recalled.

Maryam, a youth leader and digital health strategist, serves on UNICEF’s Global Leadership Council. Her work blends software engineering with grassroots organising, and her leadership has helped Parker’s Mobile Clinic scale to reach over 130,000 people across 30 local government areas. ‘We’re building systems that don’t collapse when the weather changes,’ she said.

Parker’s Mobile Clinic was born out of necessity. In flood-prone regions, traditional health infrastructure often fails. Clinics become inaccessible, records are lost, and vulnerable groups, especially women and children are left without care. ‘Our mission is simple,’ Maryam said. ‘No one should be denied essential healthcare because of where they live or what the weather does.’ The clinic operates on a hybrid model: telemedicine, community health hubs, an AI-powered WhatsApp chatbot, a non-toll call line, and electronic health records (EHRs). ‘We deliver resilient, accessible, gender-responsive health services. And we do it with tools people already use,like WhatsApp and mobile phones.’

‘Our outreaches are carried out in rural areas of southeast Nigeria, Anambra, and neighbouring states.

‘Our tech enables us to reach anybody in Nigeria, and our call lines are open to everyone.”

Since its launch, Parker’s has trained over 70 healthcare providers in resilient care and telemedicine, integrated its EHR system with Hikma Health, and conducted monthly educational webinars alongside in-person outreaches.

The initiative has earned recognition from Data.org and was recently honoured as a COP29 Impact Maker.

But Maryam is quick to point out that the real impact lies in the lives changed. ‘About 70 per cent of our users are women. They’re mothers, caregivers, flood survivors. They’re the backbone of their communities, and they deserve care that adapts to their reality,’ she s

Parker’s prioritizes communities based on vulnerability-those with limited access to functioning health facilities, high displacement risk, and gendered health needs. ‘We use data from our EHR and community assessments to guide everything,’ Maryam said. ‘It’s not just about showing up-it’s about showing up where it matters most.’

The clinic’s strategy is rooted in co-design. Youth and women’s groups help shape the services, ensuring cultural relevance and trust. ‘We don’t parachute in with solutions. We build with the community.’

Their hybrid approach combines mobile clinic outreaches with low-bandwidth digital tools. ‘We pre-position supplies before floods using EHR-driven planning,’ Maryam explained. ‘And we train local health workers through a ‘train-the-trainer’ model so the knowledge stays.’

Funding has come from a mix of grants, partnerships, and in-kind support. Major backers include UNDP, Youth Climate Justice Fund, Amahoro Coalition, Villgro Africa, and Hikma Health. ‘We’ve raised around $300,000 so far. But we’re also testing revenue pilots-community health insurance, subscription telemedicine, and institutional contracts, she has .’

This push toward financial sustainability is intentional. ‘We want to build something that lasts,’ Maryam said. ‘Not just a project, but a system communities can own.’

Daily operations are coordinated through a central team led by the co-founders, supported by regional coordinators and trained community health workers. ‘Clinical consultations and records flow through our EHR,’ she said. ‘Outreach scheduling, supply logistics, and monitoring dashboards run on cloud tools. We hold weekly team syncs and monthly impact reviews.’

Feedback loops are central to their model. ‘Beneficiaries guide our evolution,’ she said. ‘We listen, we adapt, we iterate.’

Looking ahead, Maryam envisions Parker’s Mobile Clinic as a Pan-African network of community health hubs and resilient telehealth services. ‘In five years, we want to reach millions,’ she said. ‘Anchored by AI-enabled systems for anticipatory response, strong government partnerships, and a self-sustaining financing model.’

Her vision is bold: a future where climate shocks no longer mean cut-off care. ‘Communities will be prepared,’ she said. ‘Data will drive early action. And women and youth will lead locally owned health systems that protect lives and livelihoods.’

For Maryam, the work is personal. ‘I’m a techie, yes. But I’m also a daughter of this soil. I’ve seen what happens when systems fail. And I believe we can build better.’

She tasks other young innovators to step up, ‘Don’t wait for perfect conditions. Start where you are. Use what you know. Build with your people.’

In a world where climate change is reshaping everything, including healthcare, Maryam Bello is proving that innovation doesn’t have to be distant or elite. It can be local, inclusive, and life-saving.

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.’