Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja

The 84th National Economic Council (NEC) and the first for the year presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has constituted a 10-man working committee to address killings by herdsmen.
Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State, who briefed correspondents alongside his Ebonyi State counterpart, Dave Umahi, disclosed at the end of the meeting which lasted for four hours.
The governors said the committee, headed by Osinbajo, comprises the governors of Kaduna, Zamfara, Taraba, Benue, Adamawa, Edo, Plateau, Oyo and Ebonyi States as members.

Governor Ganduje stated that the committee would collaborate with the Federal Government in addressing impunity regarding killings and violence.
According to him, the committee will work to ensure that all the perpetrators of violence are brought to book.
The council also approved the resolution of the 59th National Council on Health that at least between .5% to 1% of the monthly allocation to states be earmarked for financing the implementation of the HIV/AIDS sustainability roadmap.
According to Governor Umahi, this followed a presentation the Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole and Director General of NECA, Olusegun Oshinowo. urging the Council to consider an update for increase in domestic funding of treatment of persons living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria.
According to him, they sought council’s interest of public sector funding for HIV/AIDS services in Nigeria in order to achieve the goal of eliminating HIV/AIDS by the year 2030.
According to him, “The increase will reduce depend upon on donor funding for HIV/AIDS services and the attendant development implication.
“They also called for HIV treatment that will lead to increased life expectancy in the country and the proportion increase in GDP.
“They added that the need to invest in HIV/AIDS is imperative because donor funding is in the decline due to the global economic circumstances.
“Reducing the gap between those who require HIV/AIDS care and treatment and those who actually are able to access it, is another reason to investment HIV/AIDS.
“They ask council to approve the resolution of the 59th National Council on Health that at least between .5% to 1% of the monthly allocation to states be earmarked for financing the implementation of the HIV/AIDS sustainability roadmap.
“Council was also asked to consider and approved universal free ante-natal services and abolition of user fees associated with prevention of mother to child transmission services.
“Council was also asked to request that the state health insurance schemes include HIV/AIDS as an indicator for both testing and treatment particularly as it relates to community health insurance programmers.”
Council was also that the Exceed crude stands at $2.3 billion while the stabilisation fund stands at N1.7 billion.
The council was told that so far Budget support to 19 states of the federation that has met the requirements stood at $100 million.
NEC comprises of the Governors of the 36 states of the Federation, governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and Ministers of Budget and National Planning and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FEC). members.