Last week Friday, the Cross River State Privatisation Council ordered armed security operatives to storm the Enghaut Industries Ltd, a rubber processing firm situated in the Uyangha area of Akamkpa LGA of the state.
The operatives and government officials allegedly carted away several tons of rubber and other equipment belonging to the company, according to sources in the firm.
The government has gone ahead to sack the management of the rubber firm, and announced a new managing director.
Justifying the action, a personnel in the state Ministry of Finance, who confided in this reporter, said that the invasion was overdue, accusing the firm of not carrying out Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR.
“They have not established schools, clinics; no scholarships, no impact of the firm on host communities at all. We cannot sit by and watch. The same action will be taken against such rubber and other firms who do not also discharge their obligations.
“Since the owner of the firm died, they began to move equipment to Sapele where they have another plantation.
“Since we lost our 76 oil wells to Akwa Ibom State, government wants to use every avenue to recoup revenues.”
Further findings revealed that the administration of Governor Bassey Otu had issued a warning in April 2024, claiming that the firm was owing the state government the sum of N178 million in respect of ground rent for 18 years.
The government announced that it will revoke the right of occupancy of the Taiwanese firm.
The development followed the report of a fact-finding committee which Otu set up to look into the activities of the firm whose owner, a Taiwanese, died some years ago after which the wife took charge.
Special Adviser on State Security to the Governor, retired Major General Okoi Ubi Obono, headed the fact-finding committee.
The committee had recommended the invocation of sections 1 and 28 of the Land Use Act of 1978 to enable government revoke the Right of Occupancy of the firm.
The committee also suggested that due process be followed in acquiring the company’s land, but where compensation was to be paid, the amount, N178 million should be deducted from the accumulated ground rent owed the state government by the firm.
Receiving the report, Otu had assured that appropriate action would be taken to address the situation.
Otu assured that his administration was committed to ensuring that the rich agricultural endowment of the state is developed and made to become the economic mainstay of the state.
However, an official of the rubber firm, who gave his name as Julius Abeng, contradicted the position of government, saying the company have performed its CSR obligations according to the law.
“We have done much in terms of investment only for the present state government of Governor Otu to wake up and publish a revocation of right of occupancy against the company when it is yet to reap the dividends of its investment.
“The business was established by the late Mr Bob Lin, a Taiwanese, whose wife manages presently.
“Following the unjustified occupancy right revocation, the company filed for an interim injunction against the state government which was granted on the 9th day of July, 2024.
“Before the grant of the injunction, agents of the government came to take over the estate on Friday, 5th July 2024, and on Monday, 8th July 2024, the same government agents came and carted away 53.8 metric tons of the company’s harvested natural rubber by force to an unknown destination.”
Meanwhile, in suit no HC/162/2024 between Enghuat Industries Ltd vs Attorney General of the state and CRS Privatisation Council, filed on 1st July 2024, the state high court presided over by Justice B. T. Ebuta, issued an order of interim injunction dated 9th July 2024, restraining the state government and its agents from entering the claimant’s property or tampering with the its assets.
Following the action of the state government, business owners, investors and rubber plantation owners in the state have expressed concerns about their own fates.
An investor, Sir Lawrence Akpan, expressed concern that the manner the government is clamping down on thriving industries by revoking their business rights has sent a wrong signal to existing and potential investors like him, who has hundreds of workers on their payroll.
He advised the government to rather encourage more investors to come in, and also lure those that fled to neighbouring states because of high taxations to return.
“Business environment was not very conducive for investors and manufacturers in the state and now the state government is clamping down on some industries that provides employment and contribute to IGR. It is scary. It has sent a wrong message.”
Invasion of Taiwanese rubber firm by Cross River Govt sparks concerns among investors
Invasion of Taiwanese rubber firm by Cross River Govt sparks concerns among investors
Taraba gov pledges good governance to sustain PDP dominance
Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State, on Saturday, said his administration will continue to provide good governance and maintain a clear line between politics and governance in the interest of the state.
The governor, who disclosed this during an expanded caucus meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party held in Jalingo, the state capital, lamented that most times, politicians make promises during campaigns, but focus more on politics when elected than fulfilling the promises, thereby, eroding the people’s trust and making it difficult to convince the electorates during elections.
According to him, “We are elected to provide good governance to the people, and we will continue to do that, and that is the only way we will continue to maintain the PDP winning streak in the state.
“We are going to do something different. We are already focusing on people orientated governance than politics so that the people of Taraba will not be tired of PDP.”
Kefas also emphasised the need for party leaders to return to their respective wards and develop a consensus list of Ward and Local Government Council executives ahead of the state congress of the party slated for August.
Briefing journalists after the meeting, former Minister of Finance, Ambassador Idris Waziri said the party, during the meeting, zoned key positions of the State Working Committee to the three zones to ensure balance and inclusivity of all stakeholders of the party in the state.
According to him, the state Party Chairman, Elder Nuhu Abe, presented the guidelines and timetable for the upcoming PDP ward, local government, and state congresses on behalf of the committee, which was adopted at the meeting.
Sources at the meeting also informed our correspondent that a committee within the State Working Committee that was tasked with zoning various party offices for the upcoming State Congress also submitted their report to the Governor for final approval.
The meeting also affirmed that the Vice Chairmen of North, Central, and Southern zones, who are currently serving their first term, will continue in their roles.
Adamawa LG poll: Gov Fintiri votes in hometown
Governor Ahmadu Fintiri has cast his vote in home town, Madagali, in the ongoing Adamawa State local council election.
The Adamawa State Independent Electoral Commission, ADSIEC, is conducting the poll for the election of chairmen and councillors for the state’s 21 local government areas.
The governor, who voted at his Kirshiga Ward 004 polling unit in Madagali, later told journalists that he was happy with the conduct of the election.
In the election which started late across most polling units in the state, the state Deputy Governor, Professor Farauta Kaletapwa, cast her vote in Numan, 70 kilometres south of the capital city, Yola.
The deputy governor also said she was satisfied with the peaceful conduct of everyone involved in the election process.
She expressed optimism that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, would be victorious in the election across the state because of the many development projects of the PDP-led state government.
TVN had earlier in the week reported that the leading opposition party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, as well as another major party, the Social Democratic Party, SDP, boycotted the election.
The two parties which expressed dissatisfaction with how the state electoral body, ADSIEC, was constituted, sad they could not trust the agency to conduct a credible election.
Twelve political parties are participating in the election.
Adamawa LG poll: Gov Fintiri votes in hometown
Abuja building collapse: Four rescued, search continues
Four persons have been rescued alive from the rubble of a collapsed two-storey building located beside Cupid Hotel, Sultan Dansuki Road, Phase 2, Site 2, Kubwa, Bwari Area Council, on Saturday.
The Acting Director FCT Federal Emergency Management Department, Mrs. Florence Wenegieme, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.
She noted that “the FCT Emergency Management Department, was notified of the incident by passers-by and also received a distress call on the 112 emergency toll-free number at about 6.45 am.
“Two of the rescued victims have been taken to the Kubwa General Hospital. Efforts are ongoing to search for any other person that may be trapped in the collapsed building.
“The FCT Emergency Management Department, National Emergency Management Agency, FCT Fire Service, Federal Road Safety Corps, the Civil Defense Corps, and the Nigeria Police are on the ground at the incident scene.”
The collapsed building contained 45 self-contained apartments. It was previously used as a hotel before it was converted for residential purposes.
She added that efforts are ongoing to search for any other person who may be trapped in the collapsed building.
“The FCT Emergency Management Department, National Emergency Management Agency, FCT Fire Service, Federal Road Safety Corps, the Civil Defense Corps, and the Nigeria Police are on the ground at the incident scene,” she added.
Wenegieme assured that “search and rescue efforts are ongoing until the last person is removed if at all there is still someone trapped in the rubble.
She appealed to developers to follow strictly the building code and avoid the use of substandard materials.
South-East LP Assembly lawmakers ask Tinubu to release Nnamdi Kanu
Labour Party lawmakers in the South-East, under the aegis of South-East Labour Party House of Assembly Caucus, have called for the release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu.
Kanu has been in detention since 2021, after he was arrested in Kenya by the Federal Government and repatriated to Nigeria to face trial.
The South-East LP lawmakers, at a press conference in Awka, Anambra State on Saturday, said Kanu’s release will quell insecurity in the zone.
The caucus leader, Jude Ifeanyi Umennajiego, who addressed journalists on behalf of the 11 other members of the group, said: “We express happiness and gratitude to the South-East Governors, Senators and House of Representatives members on their recent resolve to interface with the Federal Government for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from detention.
“We see it as a demonstration of leadership and show of concern for the people. We therefore, lend our voices in appealing to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to, as a matter of urgency, release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, so as to douse the current ravaging insecurity in the zone.
“This insecurity has grounded the economy of the region and has occasioned unprecedented loss of human lives as well as destruction of property.
“His release will act as a healing balm to the region and also encourage the feeling of oneness as a nation. It will also separate genuine agitators from criminals in the business of kidnapping.”
The LP lawmakers also called on governors of the South-East region to grant full financial autonomy to the State Houses of Assembly in accordance with the Constitution and the principle of separation of powers.
“This will go a long way in ensuring more robust assemblies, by enhancing their functionalities in the area of law making, oversight and other attendant legislative duties.
“Following the example of the Federal Government, it will deepen democracy in the states and ensure more quality and effective representation.”
The caucus consisted of lawmakers from from Anambra and Enugu Houses of Assembly. They include Jude Ifeanyi Umennajiego, Kingsley Udemezue, Nigeria Chidinma Mbachu, Nkechi Ogbuefi, Justice Azuka, Harrison Ogara, Eze Gabriel, Malachy Onyechi, Raymond Ugwu, Fred Ezenwa and Osita Okoh.
South-East LP Assembly lawmakers ask Tinubu to release Nnamdi Kanu
LG autonomy: S’Court judgment conspiracy against democracy
The pan-Yoruba socio-political association, Afenifere, has condemned the judgment of the Supreme Court which granted total financial autonomy to the local governments in Nigeria.
The Supreme Court on Thursday declared it unconstitutional for state governors to hold funds allocated for local government administrations.
The court further declared that a state government has no power to appoint a caretaker committee and a local government council is only recognisable with a democratically elected government.
Afenifere, in a statement on Saturday, by its leader and the National Public Secretary, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, and Prince Justice Faloye, described the apex court judgement as a mere judicial conspiracy.
The statement was titled ‘Tinubu and the grand conspiracy against democracy and true federalism in Nigeria.’
According to the group in the statement, the judgement was against the principle of true federalism. It added that the Supreme Court had played to the gallery in delivering such a judgement.
The statement read, “Afenifere views the judgment of the Supreme Court in the case filed by the Federal Government on the so-called local government autonomy as a sheer judicial conspiracy in cahoots with the Tinubu administration against the Nigerian state and its foundational principles of federalism.
“Rather than interpret the constitution to uphold its elementary but overriding federal principle which recognises only a two-tier federal structure of the central government and federating states, the Supreme Court played to the gallery and wittingly allowed itself a most retrogressive declaration that the power of the government is portioned into three arms of government, the federal, the state and the local government.
“For the avoidance of any doubt, Afenifere makes bold to say that in line with its negotiated basis of existence, Nigeria is a ‘Federation consisting of States and a Federal Capital Territory’. as affirmed by Section 2 (2) of the 1999 constitution. While Afenifere frowns at corruption and misuse of public funds at levels of government, it condemns in most unmistaken terms the subjugation of the states and their constitutional roles including the local government system to the whims and caprices of the federal government by any means including obvious manipulation of the federation account as in the present case.”
The group also alleged that the ongoing administration of Tinubu had been practising a unitary system in some of its policies since its inception. It maintained that the only way forward for the country was to practice true federalism.
“It is becoming stridently eloquent that with just over a year of its inauguration, the Tinubu government, more than even the military administrations, is uncannily determined to unitarise the Nigerian Federation.
“Part of the unitary package is the creation of the Ministry of Livestock Development which is the audacious euphemism for the re-introduction of cattle colony, RUGA and those other policies by which the Buhari administration sought to appropriate lands in the states contrary to the provisions of the Land Use Act and the Constitution which vest land in the state in the Governor in trust for the people.
“Afenifere insists that the way forward for Nigeria is not the confusing rudderless tinkering but a holistic restructuring of the polity to re-enact the fundamental principles of true federalism as agreed by the founding fathers. This includes the fact that the local government system is an exclusive preserve of the states, either by direct constitutional provisions or residual powers in a federation,” the group submitted.
LP lawmakers ask Tinubu to release Kanu, implement financial autonomy
Members of the South-East House of Assembly caucus of the Labour Party have joined the call for the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.
The group, in a five-point communique made available to journalists in Awka on Saturday, said the release of Kanu will separate genuine agitators from criminals and kidnappers as well as douse insecurity in the South-East.
Kanu has been at the DSS detention since 2021 after he was renditioned from Kenya.
The communique signed by 11 lawmakers was read by the leader of the LP South-East caucus, Jude Umennajiego, on Saturday, indicating that the Kanu’s continued detention is also encouraging criminal elements masquerading as agitators to commit crimes.
Umennajiego said the communique was issued after their meeting of members of the caucus on July 10 2024.
It read partly, “We, therefore, lend our voices in appealing to President Bola Tinubu to, as a matter of urgency, release
“Nnamdi Kanu, so as to douse the current insecurity ravaging the South-East zone. This insecurity has grounded the economy of the region and has occasioned the unprecedented loss of human lives as well as the destruction of property.
“His release will act as a healing balm to the region and also encourage the feeling of oneness as a nation. Furthermore, it will separate genuine agitators from criminals in the business of kidnapping.”
The lawmakers also appealed to the South-East governors and their counterparts across the country to work towards granting full financial autonomy to the state Houses of Assembly in accordance with the constitution and the principles of separation of powers.
According to the communique, granting full autonomy to state Houses of Assembly will go a long way in ensuring more robust assemblies, thereby enhancing their functionalities in the area of law-making, oversight and other attendant legislative duties.
It read further, “Following the example of the Federal Government, full financial autonomy will deepen democracy in the states and ensure more quality and effective representation.
“That the Federal Government should ensure the quick resolution of the current minimum wage impasse between the governments, organised private sector and labour unions. With the current economic reality and astronomical increment in the prices of goods and services, it would be wrong for the government not to hearken to the voice of the NLC/TUC who represent the voice of the suffering masses. Nigerians are in agony on account of the current harsh economic situation, and the worst hit appears to be the workers, whose income is obviously not enough under the current situation.
“We abhor the recent hasty incarceration of Hon. Bright Ngene, who is a candidate in a rerun election in Enugu State, whose prison sentence seemed to be politically motivated. We call on the National Judicial Council to look into the case and ensure that justice is done. It is surprising that even when the community, who are the complainants in the case, opted to withdraw the case, the court still proceeded to trial and sentenced him to jail in controversial and suspicious circumstances without giving room for the adoption of written addresses by the parties.
“We also appeal to the Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly to as a matter of urgency ensure that in accordance with the standing order of the House, the minority positions due to the Labour Party are given to them without further delay. You recall that recently, some Labour Party members decamped to the PDP, going along with them the minority leadership positions of the Labour Party in the house. Since you have only two parties in the house, It is only right that the Labour Party is now in the minority and should be entitled to their minority leadership positions.
“As the speaker, who is the father to all in the House, it is only right and just that the positions be returned to the Labour Party to ensure fairness and equity.”
The communique was signed by the caucus leader, Jude Umennajiego, Kingsley Udemezue, Chidimma Mbachu, Nkechi Ogbuefi, Justice Azuka, Harrison Ogara, Eze Gabriel, Malachy Onyechi, Raymond Ugwu, Fred Ezenwa and Osita Okoh.
AfCFTA: Tinubu to launch Preferential Trade Initiative amid export drive
President Bola Tinubu will be unveiling the Preferential Trade Initiative as part of the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area, AfCFTA, Guided Trade Initiative, GTI.
Olusegun Olutayo, Senior Trade Policy and Law Expert /Lead Trade Enablement, Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office disclosed this in a statement on Friday.
He noted that the launch of the Preferential Trade Initiative will take place on 16th July 2024 at Apapa Port, Lagos.
Commenting on the Initiative, National Coordinator, Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office, Olusegun Awolowo, said, “Nigeria signed the AfCFTA Agreement on 7 July 2019, becoming the 34th AfCFTA State Party.
“With a robust economy across different industries and a huge potential effect on value chains across the continent, Nigeria’s readiness and preparedness for preferential trading under the AfCFTA preferential trade regime would immensely contribute to repositioning the continental market as a global trade market and rallying point.”
He further disclosed that “Nigeria is ready to unleash an army of exporters into Africa”.
“Everything Africa needs for Africa is already in Africa,” he added.
Dignitaries expected to grace the launch are the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Secretariat, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Investment of Nigeria, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, other Government Officials, Ministers Responsible for Trade, the Diplomatic Corps, International Development Partners and Heads of Businesses.
AfCFTA: Tinubu to launch Preferential Trade Initiative amid export drive
Killers of septuagenarian farmer, PoS operator arrested in Ogun
Two members of a seven-person criminal gang, Chukwuma Bartholomew and Igwe Monday, who allegedly abducted and murdered Point of Sale operator, Olúwaṣeun Oworu, and 71-year-old farmer Adekunle Ifelaja in the Ijebu-Igbo area of Ogun State, have been arrested.
On Saturday, According Online learnt that the suspects were responsible for a series of kidnappings and murders in Ijebu-Igbo before being arrested at their hideouts in Ijebu on June 28, 2024, following months of intelligence gathering and tracking by the state police command.
A police source, who was privy to the sting operation but chose to remain anonymous due to a lack of authority to speak for the command, stated that the syndicate had invaded Oworu’s house on July 29, 2023, in the Ojowo community in the city.
Our correspondent gathered that the suspects robbed the victim of his property, including a point-of-sale machine with a Monie Point account, and later shot Oworu dead before escaping the crime scene.
The source also informed our correspondent that on November 23, 2023, the same seven-man criminal syndicate stormed the home of 34-year-old Ogunyemi Femi, not far from where Oworu was allegedly shot and killed, and abducted Femi to an unknown location.
“After they kidnapped him, they took him to an unknown destination. A few days later, they made a video of the victim and sent it to his family to demand ransom.
“The family rallied around to pay the ransom, but these wicked criminals refused to release the victim to his family,” the cop said.
Emboldened by their previous crimes, the gang abducted Ifelaja from his farm at Oke-Sopen in Ijebu-Igbo on December 31, 2023, according to the police source.
According Online learnt that after capturing the elderly farmer, they recorded a video of the 71-year-old man and sent it to his family via WhatsApp, demanding a ransom for his release.
The farmer, popularly known as Adeife, had been living alone on his farm in the Odomosibi area of Ijebu-Igbo before the suspects forcibly dragged him into a vehicle and took him away.
“They received the ransom, but when the family was expecting the release of their loved ones, this gang refused to set him free despite receiving the ransom,” the source added.
According Online also learnt that the gang had been using the PoS machine stolen from the late Oworu to conduct their criminal transactions with the victims’ grieving families.
The command’s spokesman, Omolola Odutola, confirmed the arrests during a telephone interview on Saturday. She stated that the suspects had confessed to the crimes and would be duly prosecuted.
During interrogation, Odutola informed our correspondent that the suspects had also confessed to killing both the 71-year-old farmer and Femi, despite having received large ransoms from their families and refusing to release them.
Odutola added, “A thorough investigation led to the hideouts of the criminals and their arrest on June 28, 2024, in Ijebu-Igbo. They confessed that they killed Ogunyemi Femi and Sunday Ifelaja and buried them in a shallow grave in a forest in Ijebu-Igbo. The suspects are currently taking the CP and other police officers to the forest to exhume the deceased victims.
“Efforts are currently being intensified to arrest other fleeing members of the gang.”
According Online reported on July 3, 2024, that the command announced the killing of two kidnappers during a gunfight. The suspects were reportedly responsible for abducting four travellers along the Sagamu-Ijebu-Ode expressway on Sunday night.
State Police Commissioner Abiodun Alamutu also revealed that the four abducted travellers—one Nigerian and three Indian nationals—had been freed.
Our correspondent reported that 109 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, five AK47 rifles, eight AK magazines, and two cell phones were recovered from the kidnappers.
While praising the state command for the swift operation that led to the release of the victims and the killing of two kidnappers, Governor Dapo Abiodun warned other criminals that the government would use all available resources to drive them out of the state.
Experts advocate prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission
Experts in the health sector have called for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Nigeria.
They include representatives from the Centre for Integrated Health Programs, the National AIDS and STI Control Program of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, and the United States Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, Nigeria.
A statement released to The According on Saturday said the group unveiled a Baby Shower Toolkit in Lagos.
The event, titled ‘Dissemination of the Toolkit for the implementation of Baby Showers in Congregational Settings for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV,’ was hosted by the CIHP.
Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for Integrated Health Programs, Dr Bola Oyeledun, explained that the innovative Baby Shower Toolkit initiative utilises the influence of religious institutions in educating expectant mothers about preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV and the importance of prenatal care.
Oyeledun detailed that the toolkit includes guidelines for organising these events, managing effective group sizes, and training health assistants to support the program.
He said, “The initiative targets women through religious leaders equipped with toolkits to educate congregations. Pregnant women attending these sessions will undergo testing for HIV, hepatitis B, syphilis, and sickle cell disease. They and their partners will also have access to testing.
“HIV-positive mothers will receive access to antiretroviral drugs, significantly reducing transmission risks to their babies.
“We can reduce HIV transmission from mother to child in our communities, religious centres, and health facilities. Every Nigerian woman should know her HIV status; all these are preventable and do not need to be passed on to our babies.”
US CDC Nigeria Representative, Dr Timothy Efuntoye, emphasised, “Every woman should know her HIV status before, during, and after pregnancy to apply preventive measures if at risk. Women should adopt a culture of regular check-ups.”
He added that the unveiled toolkit was part of efforts to end HIV/AIDS transmission to children, a highly preventable goal.
He maintained that there was a need for collaboration among stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of the ‘Baby Shower Toolkits’ at the grassroots level.
Efuntoye noted that recent statistics indicated a significant number of those affected were women and children.
He assured continued support from the centre in providing antiretroviral HIV drugs to sustain their health.
PMTCT lead of the National AIDS and STI Control Program, Dr Hafsat Iyanda, underscored that the initiative aimed to save lives by harnessing the influence of religious communities in preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
Senior Technical Advisor, Dr Chuckwu Onwuchekwa, explained, “The Baby Shower initiative employs a congregational-based approach to offer HIV testing to pregnant women and their partners. Places of worship serve as standardised venues for treatment and testing.’ He urged all pregnant women to enrol in antenatal care and stressed the importance for HIV-positive pregnant women to undergo testing and receive antiretroviral therapy to prevent transmission to their babies.
“‘This initiative began as research in Enugu. Due to promising results, we decided to pilot it first in Benue State.”
Onwuchekwa added, “We compiled all findings and reports into comprehensive toolkits, which provide everything needed for program implementation.”
Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency, Dr Folake Amimasheun, revealed that the initiative had a dual benefit, preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV and addressing gaps in pediatric ART, saying early identification of HIV-positive mothers enables immediate linkage to treatment, significantly reducing transmission risks to their babies.
She urged all stakeholders, including government officials, religious leaders, healthcare professionals, and community members, to actively support the program.
Also speaking, Lagos Coordinator of the Network of People Infected or Affected by HIV, Rev. Kehinde Babarinde, said, “The program extends beyond testing. To encourage participation, expectant mothers receive a “mama pack” containing essential birthing supplies such as antiseptic wipes, a razor blade for cord cutting, a cord clamp, soap, and towels. The entire program is offered completely free of charge, and participation is voluntary.
“This innovative approach not only enhances access to HIV testing but also provides crucial supplies for childbirth.”