OSHIA provides free Health Insurance to Public Primary Schools, targeting over 10,000 pupils.

The Oyo State Health Insurance Agency, OSHIA, has taken its health insurance to primary schools in the state Free of Charge, 

to reduce out-of-pocket expenses, ensure pupils learn in good health and sound mind. 

The Deputy Governor, Oyo State, Barrister Adebayo Lawal, who made the call at the official lunch of the programme in Ibadan on Thursday February 28th, noted that, as it stands, OSHIA captured very few schools, but the state is going to about 10,000 pupils within a very short time, urging the agency to double its efforts to capture the rest of the public schools in the State.

" We have five major zones, 11 Local Governments Area have been captured through this current exercise and so the other Zones should be captured, Bashorun, Ogbomosho, Ibarapa, Okeogun, among others.

The Deputy Governor commended UNICEF for its doggedness, saying that for decades, UNICEF has been supporting public primary and even secondary schools in health and education. 

"Even children who have Malaria can be treated; that's why I'm commending you," he stressed. 

Delivering a goodwill message, the Chief of UNICEF Lagos Field Office, Ms. Celine Lafoucriere, said she was thrilled to celebrate the launch of the Oyo State Public Primary School Pupils Health Insurance Scheme. She noted that Access to affordable, quality healthcare is a fundamental right for every child. 

" The initiative reinforces our collective commitment to universal health coverage, ensuring that no child faces financial obstacles to accessing healthcare." 

She explained that Universal health coverage is more than a healthcare goal—it's a social and economic necessity. She noted that when children have access to healthcare, they can focus on education, grow into productive adults, break the cycle of poverty, and contribute to the success of Oyo State and Nigeria.

UNICEF: " Equity is our guiding principle—ensuring equal opportunities for every child. This scheme exemplifies this by focusing on public primary school children, especially in hard-to-reach areas. 

She explained further, " With 90 schools already enrolled across 18 LGAs, our goal is to ensure all 33 LGAs in Oyo state are covered, leaving no child behind." She stressed that UNICEF proudly supports this health insurance initiative and eagerly looks forward to continued partnerships to grow the scheme further.

 Celine said," Let today’s event be a rallying call for action—our commitment to ensuring every child in Oyo State has access to healthcare. UNICEF supports the government and communities toward universal health coverage ".

She congratulated the Oyo State Government, the Oyo State Health Insurance Agency (OYSHIA), and all partners, urging them to build a healthier, more inclusive, and equitable future for every child.

The Executive Secretary of OYSHIA, Dr. Olusola Akande, stated that the scheme's commencement made it the 9th door created by OYSHIA leading to the same room for residents of Oyo State to access quality healthcare services.

They are :

 Conventional OYSHIA scheme, community-based health insurance scheme, pensioners and old peoples scheme, tertiary Students health insurance scheme, basic Health Care Provision Fund, adoption Model of which the Governor is the Chief, Diaspora contributory initiative, Safer health, safer oyo, and new Public primary school pupils insurance scheme.

Dr Akande states that "the models have given access to quality healthcare services to over 250,000 residents of the state and had reduced their out of pocket expenditure to an average of 10 percent from the current rate of 75 percent ". 

 Dr Akande expressed joy that the purchasing power and quality of life of about 2.5 percent of the residents of the state have improved through the activities of OYSHIA. 

" The statistics may look insignificant, but it is a total departure from the stories of Yore. OYSHIA has stepped into the world of Johnny Walker" keep walking", so we ensure there's no day we didn't take at least a step. Our reslove is innovate or die ". he averred

He listed major life-saving or quality-of-life-improving interventions that some of our enrollees enjoyed in the last year:

This includes 261 cesarian sections, 195 cataract surgeries, 147 myomectomies, 9 ORIF procedures,18 thyroidectomies, 12 laparotomy, 13 prostatectomy, and 1 open heart surgery.

Apart from providing access to improved quality of healthcare, the Agency, through payment of capitation to various accredited hospitals, has contributed significantly to the effort of the Oyo State government in repositioning our hospitals for better service delivery, especially at the primary health care level.

Dr Akande told the gathering, " Oyo State Health Insurance Agency paid up to 735,366,023 as capitation to all accredited hospitals in 2024, noting that the heads of various hospitals have made significant progress in upgrading their facilities, procuring essential tools, and providing drugs and consumables.

Enumerating the area of support from UNICEF, the new door being opened today, he stressed focusing on providing access to healthcare for 10,000 public primary school pupils in the first instance. "This we have been able to achieve through immense support of UNICEF".

In addition, with UNICEF support, the Agency has improved the awareness campaign and increased the number of communities under CBHIS by 100 percent.

Treat feverish conditions with caution: not all febrile illnesses are Malaria or thyroid - NIMR.

To check emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, particularly Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers, which are common in Nigeria, there is the need to screen febrile patients with improved diagnostics, vaccines, and treatment.

Enhancing surveillance systems to effectively control and manage the diseases is also necessary. 

A Director of Research and Deputy Director General of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, NIMR, Professor Rosemary Audubon, made that call during a chat with newsmen in Lagos. 

Professor Audu said research findings revealed that, in Nigeria, Lassa fever remains a major public health issue because in February this year, " the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) reported 413 cases and 80 deaths across 11 states and 63 local government areas ".

According to her, " Between 2021 and 2024, dengue, Zika, yellow fever, and chikungunya viruses were detected in febrile patients in Oyo and Delta states, a result she described as surprising 

“And in Ondo State, we confirmed the endemicity of Lassa fever, yet 80 percent of suspected cases tested negative, raising concerns about undiagnosed infections,” she said.

“In Delta State, yellow fever virus was detected in mosquito pools even after fumigation, questioning the efficacy of control measures”

Studies on Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever in Kwara State provided insights into its prevalence among herdsmen and febrile patients. 

Sequencing Nigeria’s first SARS-CoV-2 case in 2020 and conducting seroprevalence studies across multiple states, providing critical data on COVID-19’s spread, was part of her research. 

" Between 2021 and 2024, the team detected dengue, Zika, yellow fever, and chikungunya viruses in febrile patients across Oyo and Delta states ". Audu

On its impact on Public health,

Mrs Audu observed that the detection of multiple viral infections in Nigerian communities indicates active transmission, hence the need for interventions.

" Our research confirms the need for intensified efforts to control both rodent and mosquito populations,” she said

“We also need to enhance diagnostic capabilities for VHFs and raise awareness among healthcare providers to improve case detection.”

Professor Audu, who stressed the importance of public knowledge in disease detection and prevention, warned health workers to treat every fever with suspicion because many febrile illnesses in Nigeria are mistaken for malaria and typhoid:" 

Despite the numerous breakthroughs, Mrs Audu noted that NIMR faces several challenges, including limited funding, irregular sampling, and the high cost of serology kits.

She explained that the institute is exploring additional grant opportunities and increasing fieldwork engagement among postgraduate researchers to address the issues having been given the mandate.

Looking ahead, she said NIMR aims to expand VHF surveillance to more states, develop improved diagnostics and vaccines, and evaluate the effectiveness of available Mpox vaccines for Nigerian strains.

“Understanding the diversity of infectious agents will improve disease control and guide better public health decisions,” she said.

“Our findings have been shared at national and international scientific conferences, and we remain committed to collaborating with policymakers to implement effective health strategies.”

Earlier, the Director-General of the Institute, Professor NIMR John Obafunwa, again complained of the electricity situation in the Institute, expressing dismay that the dwindling power supply and the threat of disconnection by the PHCN was a huge challenge as research equipments are temperature sensitive. 

He explained that for NIMR to perform optimally and take its pride of place in research and production of test kits, especially to Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers, government and well-meaning individuals should support the Institute to ensure sustainability.  

The Forensic Pathology expert stressed the importance of early and accurate disease diagnosis, citing inadequate diagnostic tools and the high costs of medical reagents as some of the challenges.

" The increasing presence of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes as explained by Professor Audu could increase the spread of arboviral diseases if left unchecked hence the need to act fast ". Obafunwa warned.

Oil Spill Devastates Obololi Community in Bayelsa State.

An Underwater Oil Spill from a Pipeline operated by a multinational company along the Obololi River in the Southern Ijaw local government area of Bayelsa State is devastating the Obololi community and its environs.

Community members say the Spill, which is suspected to have been caused by equipment failure at a facility operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company, was first noticed between late Sunday night and early Monday morning.

Locals say, " the river which is our only source of drinking water and farmlands have been polluted, calling for immediate clean up, provision of relief materials, water and fish to ameliorate their suffering ".

A visit to the point of spill indicates that crude oil is bubbling out from underneath the river, where there seems to be corrosion of the pipeline operated by Shell Petroleum Development Company, while some children are having their bath in the polluted water.

An elderly woman, Comfort Simeon, who spoke through an interpreter, and Florence Clarkson say, " We are starving and dying of thirst as well as having breathing difficulty as a result of the devastating impacts of the spill to the river and farmlands ".

Other natives, Comfort Payofaghe and Akpoboloukemi Cletus, say some of the children in the community are already having health issues as a result of being exposed to the spill.

Chairman of the Obololi Community Development Committee, Goodnews Oko, i said at least four person, ns including two children and two women, were already suffering from health issues such as diarrhea and severe itching having been exposed to the crude oil polluted waters, appealing for provision of water, food and other relief materials.

The Environmental Defenders Network, through its Deputy Executive Director, Chief Alagoa Morris, called for an urgent Joint Investigation Visit.

" There is the need for SPDC to clean up the polluted areas and provide relief materials to the people ". He said

Chief Morri, who is the Technical Assistant to the Governor on the Environment, also enjoined government to implement the recently released report of the Bayelsa Oil and Environment Commission.

Morris charged regulatory agencies such as the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency, NOSDRA, and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission [NUPRC ], and the State and Federal Ministry of Environment as well as the Ministry of Mineral Resources to ensure environmental justice for communities.

Natives of the Obololi community say, "operators of the facility, the SPDC have only placed booms to contain the spread of the spill ". 

Chairman of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Target Segib, who visited the Obololi community for an on-the-spot assessment, frowned at the harmful impact of the oil spill.

" The Council would urgently provide alternative water supply to the area to alleviate their sufferings, calling on the people to avoid drinking and cooking from water from the creek to avoid water-borne diseases ".

The Deputy paramount ruler of Obololi, Chief Wilfred Kueke, expressed dismay that the community had suffered environmental pollution of the environment since the SPDC began operations in the area in 1973, stressing that no form of social amenities has been provided I,ncluding healthcare services,  andater a,s well as cordial Community-Company relationship.

Alambo Datonye

BBC Africa uncovers killer drug, Tafrodol, now in every community in Nigeria.

A new finding by the British Broadcasting Center, BBC Africa, has brought to the public glare, an illegal pharmaceutical product known as " Tafrodol ". 

 “The drugs from all investigation consume the sanity of those who abuse them, “like a fire burns when kerosene is poured on it.” 

The report says, " In the city of Tamale, in Ghana, so many young people are taking illegal opioids, that one of the city’s Chiefs, Alhassan Maham, has created a voluntary task force of about 100 citizens whose mission is to raid drug dealers and take the pills off the streets.

 According to him, "One addict in Tamale put it even more simply. The drugs, he said, have “wasted our lives”. With a population of 225 million, Nigeria provides the biggest market for those pills. 

The Chairman, of Nigeria Drug and Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig Gen Mohammed Buba Marwa, told the BBC, that opioids are “devastating our youths, our families, it's in every community in Nigeria.” In India, pharmaceutical companies cannot legally manufacture and export unlicensed drugs unless these drugs meet the standards of the importing countries. 

Aveo Ships Tafrodol and similar products to Ghana, where the combination of Tapentadol and Carisoprodol is, according to Ghana National

Drug Enforcement Agency, unlicensed and illegal, by shipping Tafrodol to Ghana, Aveo is breaking Indian law ".

BBC Eye put the allegations to Vinod Sharma and Aveo Pharmaceuticals, but they did not respond, the Indian drugs regulator, the CDSCO, told us the Indian government recognizes its responsibility towards global public health and is committed to ensuring India has a responsible and strong pharmaceutical regulatory system, noting that, exports from India to other countries are closely monitored and recently tightened regulation is strictly enforced.

It called on importing countries to support India's efforts by ensuring they had similarly strong regulatory systems.

The CDSCO stated, "It has taken up the matter with other countries, including those in West Africa, and is committed to working with them to prevent wrongdoing, promising to take immediate action against any pharmaceutical firm involved in malpractice.

UNFPA, Gates Foundation donate Family Planning commodities to Lagos Govt...3 more states in focus

The Lagos State Government has delivered 25 million worth of Family Planning commodities to last for five years and gave them to clients free of charge.

Presenting the commodities to the Lagos State Government at the Central Medical Stores in Oshodi, Lagos yesterday, 18th of February, the Programme Coordinator /Head of Office, UNFPA, Lagos Liaison Office, Ms Abbiall Msemburi, stated that the family planning commodities were procured by the Gates Foundation.

She explained further that the Lagos State Government is going to have $5 million worth of family planning commodities every year for five years, which amounts to 25 million dollars. 

According to Msemburi, " Through this five-year program, where the Gates Foundation has given 25 million family planning commodities to three states, including Lagos. “The Foundation is committed to ensuring the availability of family planning services for women and girls. “This is the first handover ceremony that is taking place; there will be more that will be taking place.”

She says, " UNFPA, the United Nations Agency for Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights, is proud to be partnering with the Lagos State Government and the Gates Foundation to ensure all women and all adults, especially the hard-to-reach, have access to family planning services. "

“I would like to express UNFPA's gratitude to the Gates Foundation for its commitment to ensuring the empowerment of women and girls through family planning,” she stated.

Msemburi,  “We have been supporting the Federal Government of Nigeria as well as the Lagos State Government by ensuring the provision of technical support to family planning. “And when we're talking about the last mile, we actually wanted to reach the last beneficiary that we intended to reach. We also make sure that our young people have access to sexual and reproductive health services as they may require them.”

Permanent Secretary in the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye, represented by Dr Folashade Oludara, a Public Health Specialist currently heading the Family Health and Nutrition Directorate of the Lagos State Ministry of Health, lamented that uncontrolled fertility often results in uncontrolled population.

“While expressing the pleasure of love, every child must be brought up wanted, and so family planning gives that opportunity to prevent unintended pregnancy.

“However, in this very populated state, the government has been doing a lot. We are used to taking quarterly supplies from the Federal Government, which have been inadequate, but over the years, rs have been inadequate. Lagos State has also tried to match up with the gap, but the gap keeps increasing because of what we all know. “The insurgency in the country that brings everybody to Lagos and the ever-growing population.”

Ogboye explained further, " Lagos State has over 31 million people. And when you talk of women of reproductive age group, there are 22 percent of that population, which is almost 7 million ".

" Analysing the figures, be stressed "You can imagine 7 million people with another 7 million sexually active males, We are talking about 7 million women, another 7 million sexually active males. Impregnating the 7 million people, like three to four times, if reproductive health is not controlled, if fertility is not controlled ". 

Ogboye hinted that " Lagos is used to taking quarterly supplies from the federal government, which although over the years has been inadequate." 

"  I'm excited because this is perhaps, apart from the state government, this is the most consistent supply that we would be having. We were told, or the ministry was informed, that the Gates Foundation is assisting the state with a 25 million supply of family planning ". He stated

On her part, the Special Adviser on Health to the Lagos State Governor, Dr ( Mrs )  Kemi Ogunyem, said over 3,000 people migrate into Lagos every day, an indication that there is pressure on the resources in the state.

To this end, she said the state is looking at about 30 million people residing in Lagos, and “we have to meet their needs.”

“ She noted, " Our indices for maternal and infant mortality rates are not where we really want them, adding that encouraging our women and men to do family planning, to ensure that they space out their births, their pregnancies, is also helping us to reduce maternal mortality rates as well. " 

And so not only is this important that we have the commodities, we still have to go out there and advocate and make people more aware that they have to have family planning services.” Ogunyemi 

GIFA Anniversary: WALGON Wins Novelty Football Match Against LEWA

In a thrilling display of sportsmanship and camaraderie, the Wives of All Local Government Chairmen of Nigeria (WALGON) in Akwa Ibom State on Sunday, February 16, 2025, emerged victorious by a lone goal against the Legislators Wives Association (LEWA) in a friendly football match played in commemoration of the first Anniversary of the Golden Initiative For All (GIFA).

The match which took place at the Uyo Township Stadium, served as a platform to foster unity and friendship among members of both teams, members of the Board of Trustees of GIFA, political stakeholders and spectators who came out to witness the event.

Speaking shortly after the bout, Coordinator, office of the First Lady, Akwa Ibom State, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, congratulated WALGON on their win, hinting that the match will be played annually as part of activities to celebrate future anniversaries of GIFA. 

"Thank you to everyone that has come out to witness this match. It is something that we will be doing annually to mark our anniversary. Golden Initiative For All (GIFA) will be one year on the 20th of February and this match is in commemoration of the anniversary. Congratulations both teams and bigger congratulations to WALGON," she said. 

Others who bared their mind during the friendly match were commissioner designate, Mr Linus Nkan, the Chairman of Nsit Ubium Local Government Council, Mr Alfred Charles and his Nsit Ibom counterpart, Hon. Otobong Aaron, a former Dean of commissioners, Dr. Glory Edet and others, who lauded Lady Obareki for the initiative, describing football as a full-body workout that promotes joint flexibility, physical fitness, emotional well-being and creates harmony between players.

They commended the female players for their dedication and enthusiasm in participating in the match, noting that the introduction of the match among the female stakeholders will foster unity of purpose, teamwork and peaceful coexistence.

Also speaking, the physically elated coach of the winning team and President of WALGON, Mrs Akaninyene Udo, said she was happy over their win against LEWA, adding that the novelty football match has offorded both team the opportunity as foot soldiers, to take to the pitch in commemoration of the first anniversary of GIFA and the post humous birthday of its Founder, Pastor Patience Umo Eno.

Drug shops in Idumota Lagos under lock.... as NAFDAC rids the market of fake and substandard drugs

The National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control, NAFDAC has again called on members of the public to report any bad medicine to the agency for immediate action. 

The Director - General, NAFDAC, Professor Mojisola Adeyeye made the call while raiding the Idumota Drug market of fake, unregistered and counterfeit drugs. 

She said, the essence is to control the selling of medicines that are injurious to health especially the unapproved ones. 

According to her, " we have over 5000   open market shops in the country, adding that they not supposed to be open, they are supposed to be in what is called, "  Coordinated WholeSale Center " we are going to get there in Onisha, Aba and Lagos " she promised 

The DG emphasized that, there must be control because the health of the people matter, hence the need for the 7 days lock up exercise. 

" You and I matter, we are not individual that could be killed immediately because of bad medicine and we have to be very very sensitive about this. " The medicine you are taking must make you well, not kill you". If you get a medicine and it's not making you well, call NAFDAC, " we would  trace it, we would track it". Adeyeye 

"If it is bad medicine, it will kill you, it will kill a child, many people have died in this country because of bad medicine, but enough is enough ". she warned.

The Director, Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, NAFDAC, Mr  Shaba Mohammed, said the operations which started some days ago, were being carried out in three major open drug markets in the country.

Mohammed said, "Today's operation is about substandard medical products in Nigerian market, On Sunday night, " we sealed the three major open drug markets in the country, Idumota drug market, Bridget drug market in Onitsha and Ariaria drug markets in Aba ", noting that, " we have all the securities, military police, SS and pharmacy Council of Nigeria, along with NAFDAC staff working in those markets ".

" No time is too late for any action taken against counterfeit,  before now, we were involved in so many investigations, and we come to all these markets and seize products, but we are doing this now so that we'll be able to remove virtually all counterfeit products in the store in those markets, because they are the hub of distribution of over 80% of drug needs in the country ". he explained 

In the same vain, the Deputy Director Investigation and Enforcement in Charge of team two and three, Mrs Florence Ubah, said, "So we are screening this shop, and the owner of the shop is the head of the tax force, as he claimed". 

 " Although confirmed by other tax force members, yesterday, some people were trying to run out of the market with these cartons, here, they are about 14 in number. So when the tax force came along, they ran away, and they couldn't apprehend them, but they were able to pick the products, and because they didn't have anywhere to put them, because it was already late, he had to put them in his shops, he explained before I opened the shop " Ubah stated.

 She explained further, " So I said, Okay, since they are products abandoned by whosoever they are, we have to pick them to NAFDAC office for more verification. So that's exactly what we have done. " We have picked the products that they recovered, and we are now screening his shop as part of the exercise ". she said

Chairman, Lagos State Medicine Association, Island Zone, Mr Innocent Ezennaya, who expressed concerns over the ongoing inspection exercise said although he is in support of the exercise, the one week lock up would have economic consequences both on the owners, the hospital and the patients who rely on drugs to survive.

Ezennaya who expressed dismay that despite regular checks on members to ensure no person is caught wanting, some were still in the habit of cutting conners, stressing that, " this particular operation which is more intense, with inspectors checking shops one after the other will add value to their business". 

He called on the law enforcement agencies who are stationed at the borders to intensity checks as those fake and adulterated medicines pass through the borders. 

" All those drugs pass through the borders, the water, air and by road, what are they doing ? It is their duty to to ensure those medicines don't come in ". Ezennaya stressed 

" He assured members of the public that business will resume in earnest as not all sealed off shops that are found wanting., staying that, it was just a modernity to differentiate between shops that had been checked and those that had not been investigated ".

Julie Ekong

School in Lagos gets digital learning gadgets, from Airtel and UNICEF...as over 600,000 learners in 1260 schools across Nigeria benefit

E - learning has been described as a platform that brings engagement, 

stimulation and collaboration between students and teachers in order to achieve the primary objective of teaching and learning.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Jamiu Alli-Balogun, Mr. Jamiu Alli-Balogun, stated this at a joint field trip by AIRTEL Africa /Nigeria and UNICEF at St. Agnes Primary school, Maryland, Ikeja, Lagos.

Mr. Alli-Balogun noted that, the world has gone digital and education cannot be left behind and to this end digital teaching and learning process has to be deployed

"We know we're in digital world right now and we cannot be isolated from the global competitiveness which has to do with the deployment of digital teaching and learning process and that is what we are witnessing today".

He added that Lagos State Government in support of digital teaching and learning methods has it's own projects whereby digital methods and contents are being deployment to schools.

The Commissioner said, " the joint field trip is a collaboration where data is given to some primary schools to enable them have access to the internet, learn contents and the teachers are able to deliver their works effectively.

On the maintenance of the gadgets, Mr. Alli-Balogun stated, " they are bound to get spoilt and they will be repaired or replaced as soon as possible to continue learning and teaching" . 

"The gadgets are not forever, along the line, some will get spoilt and we do repair, replace also that is the sustainability aspect of it, adding that,  for the digital education to continue you  have to repair and replace at the right time". Alli- Balogun

The Chief Executive Officer, AIRTEL Africa  and Nigeria , Mr Sunil Taldar, noted that, the partnership between his company and UNICEF for the past three years is a very important one as about 360 schools and 600,000 learners have been impacted through the partnership.

Mr Taldar explained that, " 40% of the population in Africa are below 16 years, that makes education important for the future of the children ".

"  The collaboration which is aimed at providing standardized education through the Nigeria Learning Passport, NLP, will be added to the education improvement in Africa and making bigger progress ". he stated

The United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, Chief of Field Office, Lagos, Celine Lafoucriere, who described the partnership with the Airtel Africa and Nigeria as one of the most important in the country, stated that, amongst other countries that is implementing the programme, " Nigeria is doing very well ".

Lafoucriere further identified the importance of connectivity to the internet for learning for children to include, minimizing disruption in their education and ensuring standardization in delivering of quality education, " adding that 1.8 million learners have been registered on the Nigeria e-learning Passport ".

"1.8 million learners are now registered for e-learning Passport, so it's very important for children to be connected to the internet to have access to digital learning and to have minimal distraction in their education ".

She noted further, " This will ensure that we have across the board standardization when it to delivering quality education and we are doing doing, together, UNICEF and Airtel is doing well ". 

 Representatives from UNICEF, the network provider and members of the Lagos State Education Board graced the occasion.

Julie Ekong

Mohammed, Bulus Capture Rainoil Tennis Titles

Christopher Bulus delivered a masterclass performance to win the 2025 Rainoil National Tennis Open yesterday, February 9, 2025, at the Ikoyi Club 1938 Lagos.

The US-based star made light work of homeboy Daniel Adeleye 6-0, 6-4 to cart home his first Rainoil men's singles title.

The win came as a succors'
to Bulus, who spearheaded Nigeria's Davis Cup World Group II Playoffs campaign last week in Pretoria. The country came short against its South African hosts.

Elsewhere in the Rainoil tournament, top seed Khadijat Mohammed came from a set down to lift the lady's singles crown after beating hard-fighting Bright Emmanuel in the final.

The first set lasted almost an hour with Emmanuel stretching her opponent before Khadijat saw off the tie to win the ultimate prize.

This is Mohammed's 2nd national title on the bounce after capturing the Dala Hard Court tournament last November 2024.

.....by Kelechi Bernard(@woramangra)

Grassroots Scrabble Initiative Continues Spread Among Nigerian Universities.

Ahmadu Bello University,  ABU, Zaria, Kaduna, is the latest university to welcome the ongoing 'Take Scrabble To School Initiative.'

Engineer Toke Aka president. of the Nigeria Scrabble Federation NSF spearheaded the project drive to ABU.

He reiterated the importance of the initiative to grassroots Scrabble development.

"The future of the mind game belongs to the teeming youth population and the schools are where you will find and get them on board an experience they will cherish for a lifetime," Engineer Aka pointed out.

He explained that over 75 percent of universities and higher institutions in Nigeria have keyed into the 'Take Scrabble To School Initiative' program, and more will join in the months ahead.

President Aka donated four complete sets of Scrabble boards and tables to the newly created Ahmadu Bello University Club as part of the move aimed at driving the  'Take Scrabble To School Initiative'.

university's 

The Sports Dire,sity Dr. Danlami Isa, presented to receive the equipment,ment and he had some pleasant and thoughtful words for the donor, Engineer Aka.

He said the equipment would go a long way in encouraging more students to take up the sport.

During Engineer Toke Aka's two-day visit to ABU, Zaria, the school's new Scrabble Club staged its first mini-open tournament with 22 players in attendance, while 30,000 Naira was shared as prize money.

The president used the occasion to appeal to Scrabblebble stakeholders to support the 'Take Scrabble To School Initiative, which aims to introduce the sport to schools with high technology.

“Other African countries are developing their game, as the leader in the business, we must expand our player base and portfolio to keep our leadership status,” Aka said.

It's noteworthy to mention that the current African Champion Oluwatimilehin Doko and immediate past African Champion Enoch Nwali ruled the scrabble circuit while in school.

....by Kelechi Bernard @woramangra

NANs changes its decision....promise to work with FRSC.

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), has pledged to mobilize its members across the country to support the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, to rid the nation's roads of fake number plates.

This is against the initial decision to reject any attempt by the FRSC to claim down on vehicles that are not compliant with the rules guiding safety on roads. 

The partnership was sealed during a meeting between the national body of the Association and the Corps Marshal in Abuja on Friday 7 February 2025.

Meeting that comprises the President, Comrade Lucky Omonefe, the President of the Senate of the Association, Comrade Akintoye Babatunde, and other Excoswase led by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Student Affairs, Mr Sunday Ashefon.

Addressing the meeting, Mr. Ashefon condemned in totality, the proliferation of fake number plates, describing it as, " a threat to national security and a mockery of the country's transportation system," " Noting that the President Tinubu administration is not ready to fold its arms while unscrupulous individuals undermine the efforts of the FRSC and other law enforcement agencies in enhancing the safety and security of the citizens ".

He affirmed that NANS being a highly reputable and recognized body will not allow its name to be stained by participating in unlawful escapades.

The President of the Association, Comrade Lucky Omonefe, while commending the efforts of the Corps under the leadership of Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed says, that, " the Association is ever ready to support and partner with the Corps towards the actualization of the corporate mandate of the Corps ".

While appreciating the present leadership of NAN for its understanding, highly focused, and ready for fruitful partnership, Comrade Lucky pledged that, " his administration is prepared to engage members across the country and sensitize them on the implications of using fake or unauthorized number plates".

The Corps Marshal, Mr Shehu Mohammed who had earlier given reasons for the ongoing operations and why it is imperative for the enhancement of safety and security, commended the Association for the decision to join FRSC in this regard, describing it as, " a welcomed development.

"We appreciate the support of NANS and we look forward to working together to achieve our common goal of ensuring road safety in Nigeria," said the Corps Marshal. Muhammed

The partnership between NANS and FRSC is to sensitize students and the general public about the dangers of fake number plates and the importance of obtaining genuine number plates from authorized dealers.

NANS has pledged to mobilize its members across the country to support the FRSC in its efforts to rid the nation's roads of fake number plates.

FG scraps JSS, SSS, introduces a 12-year basic education model.

The Federal Government has announced the elimination of all Junior Secondary Schools (JSS) and Senior Secondary Schools in the country, introducing instead a mandatory 12-year uninterrupted basic education model. After completing this model, Nigerian children will be eligible for higher education. 

This initiative replaces the existing 6-3-3-4 education system with a new 12-4 structure. Additionally, the government has sought the approval of the National Council on Education (NCE) to officially adopt 16 years as the minimum entry age for the country’s tertiary institutions. 

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, disclosed these developments on Thursday in Abuja during the extraordinary NCE meeting for 2025. The NCE is the highest policy-making body in Nigeria's education sector. 

The event was attended by education commissioners from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), along with various agencies and parastatals under the Ministry, as well as development partners. 

According to the Minister, by integrating secondary education into the basic education framework, students will benefit from an uninterrupted learning experience until the age of 16. 

Alausa emphasized that this new policy aligns with global best practices.

 He stated that the reform aims to reduce dropout rates by eliminating financial and systemic barriers that currently hinder students from completing their secondary education.

 "Extending basic education to 12 years will ensure a standardized curriculum that is uniformly implemented across the nation," Alausa explained. "This will also allow for early exposure to vocational and entrepreneurial skills, preparing students for both higher education and employment." 

He noted that many developed nations have adopted similar systems where basic education spans 12 years, allowing students to gain foundational knowledge before specializing in higher education. "This reform also aligns Nigeria's education system with international standards, enhancing educational outcomes and global competitiveness," Alausa added. 

He pointed out that educated youth contribute significantly to national development. 

"When students receive an extended period of compulsory education, they are better equipped to enter the workforce with relevant skills.

 "This reform will also help reduce child labor and other social issues that arise from premature school dropouts."

 Alausa highlighted various implementation strategies to successfully integrate secondary education into basic education, including policy reforms, infrastructure expansion, teacher training and recruitment, funding and partnerships, as well as curriculum enhancement.

NIMR appeals for funds and sends an SOS to FG to rescue it from EKDC

The Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, NIMR, says, it will resuscitate its outstations in some parts of the country to expand research activities on public health issues.

It also plans to deploy some senior researchers to those facilities and make them fully functional according to the institute's mandate.

The outstations which are in Kainji in Niger State, Maiduguri, and Asaba, Delta State are currently dormant, apart from that of Delta where some collaborative work is being done with support from the State Ministry of Health.  

To achieve this, NIMR wants the government to prioritize funding for research to help address internal health challenges and improve people's quality of life. 

The Director-General of NIMR, Professor Oladapo Obafunwa who made the call during a media chat in Lagos, explained that 95 percent of research works carried out by the institute were funded by foreign donors, thereby limiting its scope of research.

"We have the facility to explore these things, NIMR is that expert at the background that people don’t see, we hope that a forum like this will help us to get across, to not just the average man on the street, but also legislators,  "A lot is said about chronic renal diseases and renal failure with dialysis, kidney transplant in the country, we need to find out if there is anything in our water and food that we need to revisit to know and the genetic predispositions to chronic renal diseases". he explained

The DG who also sent an SOS to the federal government to come to its aid as the Institute is facing difficulties posed by the Eko Electricity Distribution Company, stated that, EKDC has failed to provide a meter or repair damaged panels despite repeated requests but rather, sending heavy bills to the Institute.

"The problem NIMR has is with the Eko electricity distribution company, " When you hear statements like, ‘we will shut you down, we will disconnect you,’ you will start wondering, is it that people don’t understand what it means? NIMR has no meter up till now. Letters have been written four times asking for the so-called damaged panel to be repaired but nothing has happened,” Prof. Obafunwa explained.

To mitigate this issue, he said NIMR is exploring alternative energy sources, including solar power. Prof. Obafunwa thanked one of the institute’s principal investigators who has sourced funds to install inverters with solar panels.

Professor Obafunwa who said, NIMR has the facility and human capacity to handle some of the health challenges and proffer solutions said, it is also ready to investigate the Human Metapneumo Virus, HMPV, but reassured Nigerians that so far, no outbreak has been reported.

The Director of Research, Professor Stella Smith who gave reasons for the Malaria resistance strain currently being experienced in the country to include, improper diagnosis and non-adherence to drug prescriptions, advised members of the public to present cases early, complete their medication and follow up cases to get the desired results. 

“This is why the government and legislators need to approve more funding for local research, focusing on pressing health issues such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and other non - communicable diseases.

Professor Smith said, " We need to recalibrate and focus a lot more on issues about our health conditions ".

FRSC calls for peace as NANs threaten to close FRSC Command.

The Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC has called on the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS  have been urged to reconsider its stand and withdraw the reported threats to the Corps. 

In a statement signed by the Assistant Corps Marshal, Corps Public Education Officer, Mr Olusegun Ogungbemide,

the Special Operations which is a fallout from the increasing abuse of the Nigerian number plates by organizations and faceless individuals who desire to drag the nation back to the old days of indiscriminate, unregistered, and irregular use of number plates. 

This he said, undermines the gains of enhanced security uniformity, data storage, and retrieval under the National Uniform Licensing Scheme (NULS).

According to the statement, " Commanding Officers nationwide have been directed not to succumb to any intimidation or threats by individuals or organizations in the guise of promoting acts likely to compromise the objects of the National Vehicle Identification Scheme and national Security while carrying out their statutory responsibilities of keeping the nation highways safe and secure for all road users ".

In addition, the Special Operations were necessitated by reports of forgery and duplication of number plates by some reputable Nigerians and organizations hence if immediate remedial actions are not taken, Nigeria'sa security could be compromised knowing that the majority of crimes are vehicles-related. 

FRSC management expressed dismay that, Nigerian students who ought to be at the forefront of a law-abiding nation would resort to issuing such threats to FRSC, an organization committed to bringing sanity and regularity to the vehicle registration system.

The statement says, the duty of the Corps also involves the resolution of vehicle-related crimes and the enhancement of National security, which is pivotal to proper vehicle identification and resolution to the insanity and chaos that characterized the number plates system in the past. 

It advised the Leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANs, to toe the path of peace by seeking more information and understanding of the ongoing operations.

Police hand over 165 suspected Immigrants to NIS in Kebbi.....says investigation continues

The Kebbi State Police Command has arrested 165 immigrants said to be from Francophone countries and handed them over to the State Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service for further investigation. 

A statement by the Police Command image maker, SP Nafiu Abubakar, made available to Radio Nigeria in Kebbi state says an intelligence report revealed that over Two Hundred persons were discovered in a Three-Bedroom Flat in the Kuwait area of Birnin Kebbi metropolis. 

The statement said the residents were raided by a team of Detectives attached to the Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) and successfully arrested One Hundred and Sixty-Five (165) occupants.

It stated that" while on the investigation, it was discovered that, all of the arrested suspects were from Francophone countries of Burkina Faso, Benin Republic, Niger Republic, Mali, and Ivory Coast " 

" Investigation further revealed that the suspects are residing in Nigeria without any valid documents and allegedly involved in Qnet Ponzi Scheme ". 

The statement said, on conclusion of the preliminary investigations by the Command, the arrested suspected immigrants have been transferred to the Nigeria Immigration Service, Kebbi State Command, for the continuation of the investigation and further necessary action.

Story by  Abdullahi Tukur

REMAPSEN condemns unrest in DRC: calls for peace.

 

The African Media Network for the Promotion of Health and the Environment, REMAPSEN, a non - non-governmental organization, has expressed dismay at the killings in the Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC.

Describing the country as one of the most productive countries of REMAPSEN, the President of the organization, Bamba Youssouf, noted that, because REMAPSEN remains strongly attached to life, it cannot ignore the hundreds of deaths and thousands of those injured in the Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC, describing it as barbaric.

In a statement signed by the President at the weekend, he says, " We have a special thought for all our colleagues from the DRC who are members of REMAPSEN, whether at the central, regional, or national levels " We pray for a rapid and definitive return of peace in all parts of this great country, the DRC " 

It will be recalled that, for weeks, there had been clashes in Eastern DRC, causing heavy losses of human life.

Fighting between Rwanda-backed rebel group; M23 and government forces led to the killings of hundreds of civilians, women, and children mostly affected.

Thousands have also fled into the bushes as the rebels overran and captured the mineral-rich Goma region and advanced to the DRC capital, Kinshasha as the health system shut down in parts of the country.

Julie Ekong

Farmers In Shonga get Relief materials: calls for regulation of development in flood-prone areas.

Farmers in Shonga, Edu local government area of Kwara State have received farm inputs and other relief materials to cushion the hardship caused them by the devastating flood that washed away their rice farms.

Speaking at the distribution of the relief materials, members representing Pategi Moro and Edu Federal Constituency, of Kwara State Ahmed Saba expressed worry over the damages caused by the flood.

He expressed dismay at the billions of Naira lost to the flood due to a lack of awareness and information from the Water Resource Management (WRM).

 Saba thanked the state government for assisting the farmers with some relief materials.

" I appeal to the State and Federal government to implement policies on the management of land use, regulate development in flood-prone areas, as well as invest in the construction of drainage systems to prevent a recurrence ". Saba

 He called for the creation of public awareness activities on flood risks and provided emergency response and relief services.

Items distributed to the farmers affected by the flood in Shonga included Knapsack sprayers, Water pumping machines, Solar Engine pumps, Chemicals, Rice seedlings, and Fertilizers among others.

ALI RABIU

Engage in environmentally friendly practices: wildlife experts tell Nigerians.

     A group of Conservation professionals has stressed the need to collate reliable data on bird species in the country to strengthen biodiversity.

    At a stakeholders meeting in Abuja on Citizen Science Advocacy in Conservation Practices, Dr Alao Mitchell, the Director of Wildlifeife Disease Surveillance and Ecosystem Heath, in the Ministry of Livestock Development, urged Nigerians to engage in environmentally friendly practices.

   " According to him, the event is aimed at communicating citizen science data of the species for management and advocacy, adding that," the data when generated will aid in making policies that will protect animals and humans".

  A Deputy Director in the Ministry of Environment, Mr Aiwuyo Christopher, described birds as essential creatures who help in preserving the environment.

He explained that " Nigeria has about 975 species of birds which help in pest control, plant pollination and also spread seeds".  

    The Executive Director of the Organization, A.P Leventis Foundation Nigeria, Mr. Hope Useita, said, that The organization is in partnership with the Federal government, as some stat, es, and other organizations to train youths and farmers in farming and other relevant skills for self-reliance.".

   On her part, the Manager of the Nigerian Birds Atlas Project, under the A.P Leventis Ornithological Research Institute of the University of Jos, M.rs Talatu Tende, says, "The objective of the project is to raise awareness about the importance of birds within the environment and understand how growth in human population is affecting their population and distribution around the country.

   The Head of the Africa Office, of the Tropical Biology Association in Kenya, Mr Anthony Kuria, while sharing his country's conservation strategies, stated that" the Government of Kenya invests hugely in the wildlife sector which is one of its top revenue earners ".

EMMANUEL KUTARA/SHEKARA