Segun Olatunji, the General Editor of an online publication whose abduction and detention by men in uniform, acting Gestapo-style, raised a lot of dust, has resigned his appointment. Olatunji resigned because he disagrees with the decision of his employers - the owners/management of First Media Network Limited, publishers of FirstNews newspaper - to retract the story that had led to his travail as well as offer public apology to Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, now Chief of Staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Gbajabiamila had kicked against FirstNews’ story, demanding its retraction as well as public apology from the online newspaper. I need not repeat the FirstNews story here since it has been retracted by its publishers. Restating allegations already retracted by its original source is unprofessional and unethical, though the uninformed and vendors of “yellow journalism” can still tactically, even if mischievously, hide under the cover of reportage to do so . It amounts, however, to committing the same infraction afresh and anew.

FirstNews newspaper was not an online publication that I had come across before the Segun Olatunji abduction saga. I am not sure the massive story it published also got as much traction before the abduction of Olatunji as it got after his arrest and detention. In other words, the abduction and detention of Olatunji advertised the story and made Olatunji himself more popular than he ordinarily was before the event. So many people who, ordinarily, would not have been aware of the story or of the newspaper itself and its editor got to know of their existence because of the clampdown on Olatunji.

Sometimes one wonders what kind of professional media advice those in sensitive government positions get before deciding to dance naked in public. Whether true or false, I can vouchsafe that those who will believe the story in question will be far numerous than those who will disbelieve it, the retraction and public apology by the publishers notwithstanding. Any harm done, which the abduction and detention further accentuated, cannot now be adequately redressed.

FirstNews at first talked tough; it sided with its editor and stood by its story, as we say in this profession. The publisher of FirstNews newspaper, one Daniel Iworiso-Markson, minced no words as he insisted that the Gbajabiamila story was based on facts. Said he: “The management of FirstNews is using this opportunity to call on the military high command and the security agencies to let us know (Olatunji’s) whereabouts and the reason why he was arrested. FirstNews (online and print) is a reputable independent digital news network that prides itself on being a front line media outfit committed to engaging its world-class audience with factual, authentic, and credible information.

“We conduct our journalism activities with strict observance of the high standards of ethics, accountability, professionalism, and legality while exercising our rights to freedom of expression and information, all in a bid to ensure credible reporting of the news behind the news in politics, business, education, sport, health, entertainment, and many more. If there was any infraction that bothers on national security, Olatunji should have first been formally invited rather than this Gestapo style of arrest that reminds (us) of the dark days of the military era, where press freedom was stifled”

Strong words from someone sure of his onions! Buoyed by this, I suppose, all the professional journalism bodies - NUJ, NGE, NPAN, name it - Labour and civil society organizations packed themselves full behind FirstNews and Olatunji. Disgruntled politicians and all manner of elements with an axe to grind wasted no time in joining the fray. The military did not help matters with their serial denial that they knew nothing of the abduction and detention of Olatunji. Eventually, they buckled under pressure and not only admitted that Olatunji was with them but also released him from illegal detention after 14 gruesome days. The detainee’s detention diary described his experience as harrowing.

“You maltreated me”; “we did not maltreat you” was the exchange of fireworks between captive and captors before the latest bombshell of Olatunji’s resignation as the General Editor of FirstNews. His resignation was instigated by the decision of his newspaper’s management to eat the humble pie by recanting, retracting the story which they had earlier stoutly defended, and tendering an unreserved apology to Gbajabiamila.

I do not envy FirstNews! Doing what the newspaper has done is what newspapers and editors detest most. It’s a nightmare. It rubbishes the professional integrity of the editor and tarnishes the image of the newspaper. It reduces the standing of both in the estimation of every right-thinking member of the public. Professionalism and credibility are called into question. Who, again, will believe another “exclusive” story broken by such a publication?

FirstNews’ apology was abject in every material particular; it said the story on Gbajabiamila, “was handed over to us as facts by a misleading source, which was highly negligent on our part and for which we deeply tender an unreserved apology to the Chief of Staff to the President (as well as) publish a retraction of the said story”

If journalism is still what it used to be in my own days, the day FirstNews published its “unreserved apology” to Gbajabiamila would be a sad day in the history of that newspaper organization. The mood in the entire newspaper, the newsroom especially, would be mournful. It would be as if someone very important has just died. Lawyers to complainants have found a way of making retractions doubly unpalatable in the way they couch the wordings of the retraction they hand over to cornered newspapers to publish, with some of such mean lawyers insisting that not a word of it must be altered, thus forcing the bitter pill down the throat in a pitiless and remorseless manner.

Now, the more painful aspect of retractions is that the story being retracted may be correct substantially (if not in full) and the person being apologized to may not in the least deserve it. The Gbajabiamila story as published by FirstNews was massive. It is the type you publish only after you have safely deposited all supporting documents in the vaults of the World Bank! As we say in this profession, there is no smoke without a fire. I think that may be the point Olatunji was trying to make when he broke ranks with the Management of his newspaper and chose resignation as a noble option. But does he have impeccable documents to support the allegations against Gbajabiamila?

A maxim of the journalism profession is that a reporter is as good as his source. So, we usually talk of “competent sources”, ”impeccable sources”, ”usually reliable sources”, etc. Once your source of information is none of the above, it means he or she "has fallen your hand", as they say. You are done for! Stories can be planted by enemies to draw you out for the kill. As editor of The PUNCH/Saturday PUNCH, especially during the struggle for the revalidation of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election won fair and square by MKO Abiola, we experienced a lot of that. The military junta and its apologists sent classified documents and outright fabrications our way, waiting for us to publish so they could pounce!

Going by the retraction published by FirstNews, a “misleading source” and “negligence on their own part” were the twin-evils their story on Gbajabiamila suffered. Now, as stated earlier, there are dishonest and interested sources angling to grind an axe with this or that person for this or that reason or purpose, but there are also sources who, meaning well originally, may become “misleading” for reasons beyond their control. As a senior reporter with the now defunct Ibadan-based Sketch newspapers, I wrote a story on a parcel of land at Milverton, Ikoyi, Lagos belonging to my native state, Ondo, but which a retired military officer had partially alienated for his personal use.

A highly-placed Ondo State Government official gave me the story, with a pledge to make all relevant documents available. Their intention was that the intruder would cut and run once the matter became public knowledge. I wrote the story; my newspaper published it. The intruder, rather than run, dug in! His lawyers wrote to us, demanding that we retract the story, publish an apology and pay damages! I ran to Akure to collect the documents they had promised. Sorry, they told me: the retired officer had got in touch with the military president who had ordered the military governor to back off! Order from above!

I was stranded! My job was on the line but thank God for native intelligence! I called the man’s lawyer and told him I had a follow-up to my earlier story and I wanted their own side of the story before going to press. I recounted what happened at Akure and told him I had everyone on tape, including the governor and the attorney-general. Everyone would be embarrassed - the military president, the military governor, and the retired military officer himself! It was now their turn to sue for peace!

As editor at the PUNCH newspapers, I encountered similar incidents on a number of occasions: saving my reporters, myself and the newspaper from unpleasant circumstances required God’s benevolence and native intelligence. The “madness” or temporary insanity that grips reporters and editors alike once they think they have a “world exclusive” in their grip and the daily rush to beat deadlines could, once in a while, lead to the “high negligence” which the FirstNews management blamed itself for in this Gbajabiamila saga.

Was it right for Olatunji to have resigned? His letter gave “the stance of the company’s Management” and “the safety of my person and (of) my family” as reasons for his resignation before waxing prophetic: “In no distant time, the truth will come out and, then, it will be my word against theirs…” I salute Olatunji’s courage and sense of professionalism. For a man being owed a whole year’s salary to resign in these harsh economic times takes uncommon courage. When a team loses a critical match, the coach resigns. Brave sailors and pilots prefer to go down with their ship or craft rather than bail out. When the PUNCH newspapers were invaded by military goons during the June 12 struggle, I as the editor walked into the premises to be arrested and detained even though I had the opportunity, like the others, to run away.

In 1984, Tunde Thompson and Nduka Irabor of The Guardian newspaper chose to go to jail rather than disclose their source of information. In 1993, Bayo Onanuga, Dapo Olorunyomi, Babafemi Ojudu, Kunle Ajibade, Seye Kehinde and others founded TheNews. Onanuga, as editor of African Concord magazine, had rejected the promptings of their Publisher, Chief MKO Abiola, to apologize to military president Ibrahim Babangida over the magazine’s story titled “Has Babangida given up?”

For choosing to toe the same line as his illustrious senior colleagues mentioned above, Olatunji may also have etched his own name in gold. As for the authenticity or otherwise of the Gbajabiamila story, “In no distant time”, to quote Olatunji's words, “the truth will come out”!

City FM is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Programme: CITY TALKS WITH REUBEN ABATI

Time: 12:00pm

Guest: Mr Johnson Chukwu
(Founder and Managing Director, Cowry Asset Management Limited)

Topic: "Cyber Security Levy: Matters Arising"

Date: 11th May, 2024

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/92877141732?pwd=VEJWb29OL2VVekZUTHRpdWYxK0xxZz09

Meeting ID: 928 7714 1732
Passcode: 600206

....as Dean of Agric Urges Pursuit of Excellence

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Banku Obi has stated that the University is open to collaborations with the William Anam's Farm.

The Vice-Chancellor stated this when representatives of the late William Awak Anam's family paid her a courtesy visit recently.

Represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research, Linkages and Collaborations, Prof. Peter C. Okafor, the Vice Chancellor while interfacing with the Anams at the University's Council Chambers said that the institution was ready to collaborate with them in areas of mutual benefits.

Prof. Obi while extending Management's condolences over the demise of their father, celebrated the faculty for making the effort to reach out.

She said collaborating with the faculty in real-time will not only improve their knowledge but also make them more active in agriculture.

The University Administrator apologized for not including the family's award in the last convocation Brochure, promising that the award will be included in the next convocation which is going to be the 50th and a milestone convocation.

She appreciated the family for the award stating that it will no doubt motivate others to be focused, especially the practical year students.

In a related development, the Dean of, the Faculty of Agriculture, Prof. Susan Ohen has urged students of the Faculty of Agriculture to continue to pursue excellence in all their academic endeavours.

The Dean stated that the William Anam Award which was initially planned to be presented at the just concluded 36th Convocation, was hindered due to unforeseen circumstances. Speaking during the formal presentation of the Late William Anam's maiden award for the Best Practical Year Student of the 2020/2021 graduating class held at the Faculty of Agriculture Post- Graduate Hall, Prof. Ohen said that Mr. Anam, an alumnus of the faculty, was very passionate about agriculture.

The Dean used the occasion to commend the wife and family of the Late alumnus for making his desire come true by sustaining the initiative of conferring an award on the best practical student in the faculty.

This is even as she admonished the award recipient to see it as a motivation to do more academically.

In a presentation titled; "Striving for Excellence in Academics", Prof. Ausaji A. Ayuk said to strive is to struggle, push or fight vigorously, and to make great efforts to achieve or obtain something, while excellence is the quality of being outstanding or extremely good, and academic is relating to education.

The one-time Dean of Agric thus, challenged the students to see beyond where they presently are and make sure they achieve their desired goals.

The wife of the Late William Anam thanked the University and the Faculty of Agriculture for allowing her family to confer the maiden William Awak Anam Award for the Best Practical Student.

Mrs. Maryanne William Anam stated that her late husband, the initiator of the award who unfortunately passed on in 2023 at the age of 58 was a passionate alumnus of the Faculty of Agriculture, a successful farmer with an uncanny zeal for nurturing and seeing other people grow.

To this end, she pledged on behalf of the WILLIAM ANAM FARMS that the William Awak Anam award will be sustained as an annual event for deserving students as a way of motivating them.

The high point of the event was the presentation of the award which has a cash backing of a hundred thousand naira, to the Best Graduating Student in Practicals for the 2020/2021 session by the VC'S representative, DVC, Research, Linkages and Collaborations, Prof. Peter C. Okafor to the award recipient Mr. Emmanuel John Amadi.

Public Relations Unit

University of Calabar

 

 

Air travel can be a thrilling experience, filled with excitement and anticipation as you embark on a new adventure or reunite with loved ones. However, the thrill of flying can quickly turn into a nightmare if you find yourself detained at the airport. Whether you are a seasoned traveler or embarking on your first flight, it’s essential to know what can land you in hot water with airport authorities. From seemingly innocuous mistakes to serious offenses, there are several things that can get you detained at the airport, causing frustration, delay, and even legal consequences.

In today’s security-conscious world, airports have strict rules and regulations in place to ensure the safety of all passengers and staff. While these measures are necessary, they can also lead to unintentional violations. As a traveler, it is important to be aware of the dos and don’ts of air travel to avoid any unnecessary delays or complications on your journey. By knowing what to avoid, you can ensure a smooth and stress-free travel experience, and make the most of your time in the air.

Here are 8 of such things that can get you detained at the airport

Prohibited items

When packing for your next trip, it is essential to know what items are allowed in your luggage. While it isobvious that illegal substances are a no-go, many travelers are unaware of the other prohibited items that can land them in trouble. For instance, India prohibits books and maps that incorrectly displays their external boundaries, while Japan prioritizes public safety and morals by prohibiting books, drawings and carvings . Dubai, on the other hand, has strict rules around food and wildlife products. To avoid any issues, always check the customs websites of your destination country and familiarize yourself with their specific rules and regulations.

Invalid or damaged travel documents

Airline and country-specific regulations govern travel document requirements, ensuring hassle-free boarding. These documents must not be expired and often need to remain valid for a certain period beyond the travel date. This precaution ensures flexibility in case of flight delays, enabling travelers to board alternative return flights. Before heading to the airport, meticulously review passport and visa validity guidelines. For instance, countries like Thailand, Nepal, and Turkey mandate six months of passport validity upon entry, while most European Union nations require three months, and New Zealand stipulates one month beyond the intended departure date.

Additionally, ensure the visibility and clarity of your photo and bio data. Any damage, such as rips, tears, or water damage, could result in travel disruptions until replacement documents are obtained. It is important to note that travel documents extend beyond passports; some countries necessitate supplementary documents, such as prior travel history, parental consent for minors, vaccination records, or proof of accommodation during the stay.

Prescriptions and medications

When traveling with medications, it is important to research the regulations of your destination country. While some medicines may be allowed with a doctor’s note, others are strictly prohibited. The International Narcotics Control Board provides some guidance, but it is essential to verify the specific rules for each country on your travel route, including transit countries.

Some medications, like Sudafed, are considered controlled substances that are banned in certain countries, like Mexico. Violating these laws can have severe consequences. To ensure a smooth journey, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends checking with the embassies of each country to confirm that your medications are permitted. If you are taking restricted medications, especially life-sustaining, psychiatric, or psychotropic drugs, consult your doctor about alternative options or equivalent substitutions available in your destination country. This will help you avoid any potential issues and ensure your health and safety while traveling.

Large sums of cash or undeclared items

When traveling, especially in countries like the US, it is important to notify authorities if you are carrying large sums of money or valuables exceeding a certain threshold, typically around $10,000. This could include items like jewelry, expensive clothing, or electronics. In places like South Africa and Canada, completing declaration forms before your trip can help avoid potential fines and delays at the airport.

Flammable and explosive materials

Traveling with flammable or explosive items can lead to flight disruptions. Fireworks, including small sparklers, are strictly prohibited on airplanes due to safety concerns. Even friction during the flight can trigger their ignition, posing a risk to passengers and crew. In the US, violating these rules can result in civil penalties of up to $75,000 per offense, with potential criminal charges for those importing them for sale. What ever your reason for travelling, it is essential to refrain from carrying any items intended for ignition.

Unreported plants, pets or exotic animals

Transporting living organisms across borders, including plants, pets, and animals, is subject to strict regulations. The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) advises travelers to check the Don’t Pack a Pest website for plant-related declarations. The US Fish and Wildlife Service provides guidance on avoiding prohibited live animals and products. Regulations vary by airline and country; for instance, Jamaica restricts certain dog breeds. Transporting exotic animals may require specialized pet transporters to ensure compliance with vaccination and quarantine measures. Check with your airline and embassy for the latest guidelines.

Unsettled legal matters

Legal matters left unresolved can disrupt your travel plans, as airport authorities worldwide have access to databases containing information on individuals with criminal records or outstanding warrants.For instance, individuals with unpaid fines attempting to enter or leave New Zealand may face interception by police at the airport, according to the Ministry of Justice website. Similarly, in the US, those owing over $2,500 in child support are ineligible for a US passport.

Ensure compliance with the law before embarking on air travel. If you have pending civil or criminal issues, consult legal counsel to confirm travel eligibility. Prioritize resolving any warrants or fines before your flight, and carry documentation of resolution to prevent potential airport complications.

Traveling while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs

If ground or cabin crew suspect you have had too much to drink and pose a risk to yourself and others, it could lead to delays. Keep in mind that alcohol consumption is prohibited in certain countries. Being under the influence or carrying alcohol in luggage can lead to detention or imprisonment.

The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has berated opposition lawmakers in the National Assembly over its perceived silence on the controversial cybersecurity levy.

Naija News reports that on May 6, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) directed banks and other financial institutions to implement a 0.5 per cent cybersecurity levy on electronic transfers.

Many Nigerians and groups have expressed their dissatisfaction, highlighting that banking transactions are becoming increasingly costly due to numerous charges.

Speaking on the the situation during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, the TUC President, Festus Usifo, questioned the silence of the opposition lawmakers in the National Assembly.

He lamented that the lawmakers have refused to take a stance on the situation.

Usifo accused the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), of making life more difficult for the Nigerian people.

He said, “Where are the opposition parties in the National Assembly? Where are the PDP, Labour Party, and NNPP members?”

“Even if the ruling party today wants to suffocate Nigerians and the opposition, you hear nothing from them. It is really that bad. This kind of attitude where we don’t see bills like this in the newspapers that there is going to be public hearings, and we don’t hear any advertisement on major television channels that there is going to be a public hearing. What are they doing with the budget of the National Assembly?”

According to him, the organised labour was not carried along by the lawmakers in the passage of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) (Amendment) Act 2024.

[NaijaNews]

Which one of you started this new campaign of ‘women enslaving men’ again? I have been seeing the articles on different platforms about how women have a playbook on how they will make men become their slaves. And their text is taken from a book called The Manipulated Man written by Esther Vilar in 1971. Yes 1971. Originally written in German and later translated to English. Guys, are we still on this matter? Why are you like this, seriously? 

How are we enslaving you and why do you need a 53 year-old book as reference in the year of our Lord 2024? 

Come on, it is your world and you have run things the way you designed them for centuries.  These are things you have enjoyed tremendously and rubbed women’s faces in. You wanted us in the kitchen, we stayed there.  You wanted us in za ozza room, we stayed there.  You wanted us to be seen and not heard, we obeyed. You wanted many wives and concubines, we bore it all. Did women stop men from doing anything? What exactly are we being blamed for, please?

There is a way men want the world to work and that is the way they have skewed it since the Garden of Eden. They have socialized us poor girls to accept a certain way and we have accepted our lot over the year. For centuries, we have been blamed for everything from how Adam ate the forbidden fruit and why it is Eve’s fault. There is also the unsaid implied thought behind that saying: “behind a successful man is a woman”. Is someone saying Adam had no free will, something that God installed in every human male and female? Adam could have turned down Eve’s offer and gone to the other side of the garden. But nope, he gobbled down the apple, probably stepped it down with very cold water and then blamed Eve for his pleasure.

Why do you guys blame us for your pleasure? Why? You made love to a woman very deeply and passionately for 12 straight months, refusing to wear condom each time, and then it’s the woman’s fault that she’s pregnant. 

A modern man in this age and tech century fills a woman up with millions of his seeds for 52 weeks and then announces like a dumdum: “I’m not ready to be a Father”. “You want to trap me with this pregnancy.”

What did the ‘efulefu’ think he was doing when he was pumping the chick up? Did he think you can delete sperm like you can delete your WhatsApp storage when the phone announces it is dangerously low on space?

Mean men and their pumping skills that they crown with shameless irresponsibility, isn’t that how  they filled the world with single mothers? Please who is enslaving who here? The man who wants skin-to-skin, unhindered access to the woman’s womb but refuses to accept the fruits of his labour when they germinate? Who is the slave? The man who moves on to the next open womb or the depressed woman who has to face the shit and shame of being an unwed mother?

Let’s look at the unsuccessful man and what is behind him. He has a university degree. His wife has one too. They both lose their jobs. She goes to learn cake-making and how to tie gele. He continues to apply for a Nine-to-Five job. She tells him to go learn photography. His eye almost pops out of his socket. His veins threatened to pop. How can you? She faces her new hustles and add event planning. Soon, she has a staff of 10 plus a personal assistant to monitor her commitments. She invites her husband to join in the business. He accuses her of wanting to turn him into her apprentice. Ten years later, she has a clentele list that has First Ladies and blue-chip companies and Oga is still a struggling nine-to-five manager. 

‘She has used his head.’

‘She did not help him.’

‘See what she wears and see the car he drives.’

It’s her fault again. She’s the woman behind the unsuccessful man. Men, why are you like this? She’s now picking bills a man should and would prefer to pick, making her the slave. Yes, yet, we are the ones manipulating you. Please, what’s the colour of your problem?

I just finished reading a story of how men do and undo themselves. Two children had decided to take their mother to a shopping mall in Ibadan on her birthday. Nice kids just wanted to do something for their mother. 

Imagine their shock and pain when they saw their father in the food court buying a meal for another woman on his wife’s birthday? Thank God for level-headed girls. They took their mother elsewhere. Of course, the he-goat Daddy has ruined their mum’s birthday. Would it have killed the man if he had given the wife a treat on her birthday and postpone the side-chick’s outing till the following day? No. He had to hurt her. Do you know any woman who will forget that slight? And what did my friend, Dr. Lasisi Olagunju have to say in defence of his fellow man? He said women like to monitor their husbands like monitoring spirits! I’m yet to recover from his mischievous logic. Anyways, let’s fast forward to 15 years from now. Picture those children in Canada with their mother. They decide to keep her with them so they could take care of her hypertension. 

Daddy of side-chick fame is now in his 70, dodging Okada and goats while he tries to cross the road to buy ‘Ewa Aganyin’. His girlfriend has moved on, he now lives alone. Someone like my friend, Dr. Laz will accuse the children of being mean and their mother of witchcraft.

‘Those children he trained have now abandoned him.’

‘Only his wife is enjoying the fruits of his labour. ‘

So unfair, they want the man to die alone’

Someone rescue me. E gbami o. Did Daddy not know that there’s more to Daddyhood than paying school fees, assuming he actually paid and paid in full? Did nobody tell Daddy that the children were taking judicial notice of how he was maltreating their mother?  Did Daddy Wa not read what I wrote about ‘Amen Junction’ and how men always have the consequences of their actions waiting for them later in life?

Guys, my point is, do not turn things on their heads. Stop quoting from books to manipulate facts. What you buy is what you get. You said you wanted a man’s world, women agreed and all we are doing is living in it with you. Where then is the slavery there?

Emergency healthcare in Nigeria faces critical challenges due to inadequate infrastructure, limited ambulance availability, and a missing emergency fund of N26.3 billion, impacting frontline hospitals’ ability to provide essential care.

LEADERSHIP checks reveal that a N26.3 billion fund for medical emergency care cannot be tapped by most frontline hospitals confronted with patients who need it the most.

The fund, the equivalent of five percent of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), is missing in action years after the National Health Act established it to cover essential medical services during emergencies.

Between 2020 and 2024, N526.9 billion was approved for the BHCPF, five per cent of which is over N26.3 billion.

This is as the cost of treating emergency cases in Nigeria has accrued to N200 billion in the past 10 years, even as the Nigerian private medical practitioners have called on the government to release the 2.5 per cent of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) for emergency medical treatment.

Emergency incidents, no doubt, present a huge medical burden on the healthcare system in Nigeria. According to a 2019 Emergency Response Africa (ERA) survey, three out of four Nigerians had experienced at least one medical emergency in the last five years, with over a quarter of Nigerians having more than four emergencies.

Medical conditions (acute and chronic) and road traffic accidents contributed significantly to the number of emergencies. For instance, a total number of road traffic crashes in Q4 2022 was 3,617, indicating an increase of 6.01 per cent from the previous quarter which recorded 3,412 and a 6.16 per cent rise from 3,407 in Q4 2021, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) disclosed.

Statista report revealed that over 11,800 road traffic accidents were reported in Nigeria between October and December of 2021; of those, approximately 10,200 were injuries and about 1,700 were registered deaths.

A study titled: “Mortality patterns in the accident and emergency department of an urban hospital in Nigeria”, averred that some of the deaths occurred within six hours of arrival at the emergency department of a major urban hospital in Nigeria.

To reverse this trend, the former president of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari launched the BHCPF appropriated by the National Assembly for the first time in the 2018 budget since the National Health Act (NHAct) was enacted in 2014.

In accordance with the NHAct 2014, the BHCPF is derived from an annual grant from the federal government of Nigeria of not less than one percent of the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF); grants by international donor partners and funds from any other source, inclusive of the private sector.

The NHAct sets out the important drivers to guide disbursement of the BHCPF. These “Payment Gateways” are in three-fold and the Act states that 50 per cent (one half) of the Fund shall be disbursed through the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and deployed towards the provision of the Basic Minimum Package Health Scheme (BMPHS) in eligible primary or secondary health care facilities.

Forty-five per cent of the Fund is meant to be disbursed through the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and deployed to strengthening Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) in eligible PHC facilities for the provision of essential drugs, vaccines and consumables; provision and maintenance of facilities, equipment and transport; and development of human resources: 2.5 per cent shall be disbursed through a committee appointed by the National Council on Health (NCH) and deployed towards emergency medical treatment and 2.5 per cent goes to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).

Current contributions into the basket fund of the BHCPF includes N88,993,570,146.91of which N59,203,966,455.42 has been disbursed to states as at June 2022, (with balance of N30,120,321,166.18), according to document obtained by LEADERSHIP Weekend.

National president, Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners (ANPMP) Dr. Kayode Adesola told LEADERSHIP Weekend that section 20(1) of the NHAct (2014) provides that “a health care provider, health worker or health establishment shall not refuse a person emergency medical treatment for any reason.

“Since 2014, we, the private medical practitioners, have been treating emergency cases, as stipulated by the law, without being paid a dime. From our calculation, the cost of treating emergency cases across the over 11,000 private health facilities in Nigeria, has surpassed N200 billion from 2014 till date,” Adesola revealed.

Speaking on the efforts to recoup their money, the national president said, “We know that 2.5 per cent of the BHCPF is meant for emergency medical treatment. We have confronted the National Assembly appealing to them to investigate where the money is. Private hospitals across Nigeria are receiving emergency cases, without being paid. Anybody can be a victim of any form of emergency.”

If government refuses to pay the money, Adesola posited that they will not continue this charity care forever, as they set up their clinics to make money, adding that it does not make sense if government decided to enforce the penalty for not adhering to section 20(1) of the NHAct (2014).

He called on Nigerians to appeal to the government to release the fund. “We need the senate to help us look for that money. Any of us can be a victim,” Adesola affirmed.

Country director, PharmAccess Nigeria, Njide Ndili, told LEADERSHIP Weekend at the sideline of the 2024 Medic West Africa Conference, that a lot of Nigerians are being turned away, adding that, “When you get to the hospital, in an emergency, you may be turned away. The first thing they will ask you is who is going to pay. The private hospitals don’t want to admit that, that is why they are turning people away, because they provide services and at the end of the day, nobody pays for the treatment. We need to find the 2.5 per cent of the PHCPF. Government needs to provide that fund for private hospitals to be able to fully enforce the NHAct 2024.”

The medical director, Head of Emergency Care, R-Jolad Hospital, Dr. Abiola Fasina Ayoola, explained that most of the public health engagements are focused on malaria, HIV and achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC). However, there is need to flesh out these engagements/discussions in terms of incorporating emergency, critical and operative care, she said, adding that, “We don’t give attention to acute emergency care, yet, trauma and emergency affect almost all Nigerians, surpassing malaria, TB and HIV combined.

“For instance, road accident kills more Nigerians than anything. R-Jolad is right on the highway and we are getting young victims all the time. We are spending like N7 million in a month, with zero chance of recouping these funds. While we try to treat as many survivors that come to the hospital, we should not forget that we established the hospital to make money. We can’t give charity care 100 per cent all the time. We cannot continue this charity care for ever, without some sort of financing mechanism. To achieve equity in emergency care services, we must tackle the issue of healthcare financing. Someone has to foot the emergency bill,” she asserted.

The deputy chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Sen. Samaila Kaila, affirmed that the health system in Nigeria is not working and as such, one should not expect a component of the system to work.

Speaking on the emergency fund, Kaila said that National Council on Health approved a committee in the ministry of health, headed by a director to administer the fund.

On the need to formulate a law to improve emergency funding, Kaila stated that there are only two medical personnel in the Senate Committee on Health, adding that it is not easy to convince the rest of the committee members when it comes to critical matters like this. He therefore called on Nigerians to take the issue of politics seriously. “If we really want to change the way we are doing things, we have to get the right people to man critical positions,” he stated.

The chief medical director of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Emem Bassey, further affirmed that the 2.5 per cent for emergency treatment is with the Ministry of Health. “Sadly, the money is what is being used for the national emergency medical service and ambulance system. That is where your 2.5 per cent is. So, I am afraid it may not be given to private medical practitioners, unless they fight for it,” he stated.

[Leadership]

The member representing Aguata Federal Constituency of Anambra State, Rep. Dominic Okafor, has threatened to take legal action over a media report that he collected a bribe of $140 million from Binance. 

He stated this while addressing journalists at the House of Representatives on Friday.

He said the publication was an attempt to smear his name and integrity after moving a motion to probe the escape of a Binance executive, Nadeem Anjarwalla, from the custody of Nigerian security.

He said: “Shortly after I moved that motion, which was well received and a lot of people were calling to commend me, I started getting calls from my friends all over the world saying I collected bribes from this very company. I got worried and wrote a letter to Premium Times, the media company that originated the story.”

“I wrote a letter to them which I copied the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Clerk, Inspector General of Police, EFCC and DSS. I asked them to retrieve the information within 24 hours, if not I will take legal action against them.”

It would be recalled that bribery allegations were levelled against members of a ‘federal government’s committee’ by an executive of Binance, an online cryptocurrency trading platform.

[DailyTrust]

 

The recent report by the International Rescue Committee, IRC, that an estimated 16 percent of Nigerians will face severe food insecurity and extreme hunger between June and August 2024 is a big source of concern to many Nigerians.

According to the report, the 2024 figure is higher than that of 2023- a clear indication of the increasing spate of hunger and the worsening living conditions, not only in Nigeria, but also across the West and Central Africa regions.

The report further revealed that the total number of people across West and Central Africa, who are likely to face food insecurity during the period, popularly referred to as the lean season, stands at a staggering 52 million, which is about 12 percent of the analysed population.

However, in Nigeria, the report said about 32 million people, representing about 16 percent of the country’s population, would face severe hunger, a development that is considered to be at a crisis level or emergency food insecurity.

The report said: “Looking ahead, the projected outlook for the period June-August 2024 appears even more severe.

“Nearly 52 million people across the 17 analysed countries are anticipated to face phases three to five during the lean season of June-August. This translates to 12 percent of the analysed population struggling to meet their basic food and nutrition requirements.

“These countries include Mauritania (656 652, 14 percent), Burkina Faso (2 734 196, 12 percent), Niger (3 436,892, 13 percent), Chad (3,364,453, 20 percent), Sierra Leone (1,569,895, 20 percent), and Nigeria (31,758,164, 16 percent).”

The report went further to state that the situation would be more severe in the northern states of Sokoto and Zamfara, where the IRC analysis described the situation as critical, with over 15 percent of the children in the states experiencing acute malnutrition.

According to the report, the major contributory factors to the severe food insecurity across the Sahel region include insecurity, climate change, and worsening macroeconomic conditions, especially on the inflationary front.

DAILY POST recalls that in January 2024, the average inflation rate in the region stood at 21 percent, which is an increase from the 18 percent that was recorded in the same period in 2023.

Earlier in the year, the World Bank, in its food security report for Nigeria, projected that seven states in the North would face severe food security problems with the spate of food inflation and insecurity across the food-producing states.

While the Boko Haram insurgency greatly affected food production in the North East, leading to the destruction of farmlands, the farmer-herder crisis and banditry have significantly affected food production across the North West and North Central regions of Nigeria.

Reports show that insecurity, coupled with disruptions in global food supply chains has pushed food inflation in Nigeria to about 40.01 percent in March.

Nigeria has an estimated population of over 200 million people, making it the most populous country in Africa, and the sixth in the world. It is also believed to be the 10th largest producer of oil in the world, but ironically, about 84 million Nigerians, representing about 37 percent of the population live below poverty line, according to the World Food Programme, WFP, report.

The WFP also agreed with the IRC report that insurgent activities in the north, have added to a fragile resource environment, deepened insecurity, hampered development and heightened the food and nutrition insecurity of vulnerable women and children

However, with the recent report, Nigerians have expressed fear that the prediction might come to pass.

Some observers, however, agreed that Sokoto and Zamfara states may not be the worst hit states when the time comes, looking at the level of havoc that kidnappers and militant herdsmen are wreaking in the North central states of Nigeria.

They, however, called on the government to sit up and ensure that Nigerians were not thrown into such a precarious situation.

One of those urging the government to take decisive action against banditry, kidnapping and all forms of criminalities is the president of the Middle Belt Forum, MBF, Dr. Pogu Bitrus.

He believes that only the government has the powers to prevent the IRC’s projection from manifesting, by tackling insecurity headlong.

He emphasised that Nigeria does not need any international body to give her the report of an impending hunger between June and August because the reality is staring everybody in the face.

“We know it is a reality because banditry has reached a stage where farmers can’t go to farm, and if farmers can’t go to farm, naturally, there won’t be food to eat.

“Besides, that time is a period when crops like maize are expected to mature, and if there is no maize to complement or supplement whatever that is out there, then there will be trouble, and hunger will definitely set in, unless the government rises up and does something to address the insecurity situation.

“So, their report is in order because it is in line with what is on ground. Unfortunately, it will not be worse in only Sokoto and Zamfara as the report stated, because there are so many other areas where bandits do not allow farmers to go to farm.

“And in such situations, you will agree with me that there will be a devastating hunger unless the government takes a proactive action to address the issue of banditry, so that farmers can return to farm in peace,” he told DAILY POST.

Also aligning with the IRC’s report is a former lawmaker in the Katsina State House of Assembly, Hon Yusuf Shehu.

He believes that traditionally, the people in Zamfara, Sokoto and Katsina axis experience shortage of food between June and August every year but lamented that the insecurity in those areas would worsen the situation this year.

The ex-lawmaker told DAILY POST that, “Ordinarily, Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto and other states on that axis receive their first rains around May/June; so it is the beginning of the harvesting season.

“And every year, we, in the north, normally experience food shortage around June/July because most people would have brought out the remaining food in stock at that period to plant for the next season. And there is nothing more for the peasant farmers to do than to go to farm during the period.

“Now, considering the insecurity situation in the country today, where bandits and kidnappers are riding roughshod on the people, coupled with the high cost of living, obviously, there will be acute food shortage.

“The period is the beginning of the harvesting season and the bandits and kidnappers don’t allow people to go to farm; so what do you expect? Added to that is the removal of fuel subsidy which has heightened the cost of living.

“So, for me, I think the report is a wake-up call to the government to take steps in advance so that unavoidable deaths that could result from known calamity could be avoided.

“It is for the government to take the war to the bandits and kidnappers, clear them from our forests and bushes, and allow the farmers to go back to the farm.

“That is the only way to avert the IRC’s prediction, otherwise the percentage of Nigerians that would face severe hunger during the period could even be far more than the predicted 16 percent,” he stated.

A lawyer and public affairs commentator, Nnamani C.I, said there was no hard and fast rule to making food available, apart from creating an enabling environment for farmers to do their farm work without fear of being attacked, kidnapped or even killed.

He stressed that it would be a surprise and one of the greatest miracles of the century if, between June and July, Nigerians don’t experience a biting food crisis.

The lawyer said bandits and kidnappers had taken over the farms and forests, forcing the farmers to stay permanently at home.

“It is when farmers go to farm that they can produce. A situation where bandits, kidnappers, herdsmen and Boko Haram Islamist insurgents have driven farmers away from the farm, without any reaction from any quarter, what do you expect? Do you expect manna to fall from heaven in this 21 century? No, that won’t happen.

“The report by the IRC is just stating the obvious. We know that we are in big trouble. And unless the government takes the report seriously and rises to its responsibility, Nigeria may experience civil unrest of unprecedented proportions, and it will start from the north.

“There is a saying that a hungry man is an angry man; and an angry man is violent, while a violent man is an unreasonable man that is capable of doing anything, should not be disputed by any reasonable human.

“The report has just warned the government of a danger lurking around the corner. And I believe the government will not just fold its arms and allow the prediction to come to reality.

“I expect the government to declare a total war against those enemies of the state, rout them out once and for all and allow the farmers to return to farm in peace.

“That way, what the IRC said in its report may not be as adverse as it would have been, but if the government fails to act, the prediction might just be a child’s play to the kind of hunger that will envelop the country, particularly those on the fringes of Sahel during the period,” he told DAILY POST.

[DailyPost]

 

• Prince, wife begin Nigerian visit, campaign for mental health

• He’s not representing King Charles, says High Commissioner

It was a fun-filled day for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle yesterday as the couple freely interacted and chatted with students, soldiers and government officials at the start of a 72-hour visit to Nigeria.

They pumped hands, patted backs, danced, posed for selfies and were cheered by fans, who were eager to give them a first-hand experience of Nigerian hospitality.

The couple’s British Airways plane touched down in Abuja just before 5am following a slight delay caused by the scheduled pilot unexpectedly falling sick and replacement scrambled.

Five hours after their arrival, the royal couple visited the Wuse Lightway Academy where they spoke about mental health at the school supported by their Archewell Foundation.

The Prince in particular evoked memories of his suffering in the aftermath of his mother Princess Diana’s death, saying: “’In some cases around the world, in more than you would believe, there is a stigma when it comes to mental health.

“Too many people don’t want to talk about it, because it’s invisible – something in your mind that you can’t see. It’s not like a broken leg, it’s not like a broken wrist; it’s something we are still relatively unsure of.

 

“But guess what? Every single person in this room – the youngest, the oldest – every single person has mental health. So therefore you have to look after yourselves to be able to look after other people, and other people have to be able to look after themselves to be able to look after you. That’s the way it works.

“And there is no shame to be able to acknowledge that today is a bad day, OK? That you woke up this morning feeling sad; that you were at school, feeling stressed; that you’ve lost a loved one in your family and you don’t know who to turn to or who to speak to. All of these things you may even be led to believe are not for conversation.

“We are here today to tell you that that is not the case. Every single one of those things is completely normal, it is a human reaction, whether it’s grief, stress, whatever the feeling is. It comes from an experience that you have had – you can have it, she (Meghan) can have it, I can have it. They can have it. Every single one of us is likely to have it on any given day.

“So if you take anything away from today, just know that mental health affects every single person.”

Meghan: “I see myself in all of you”

Also speaking, Meghan Markle said: “’As I look around this room, I see myself in all of you as well. So it is a complete honour to have our first visit to Nigeria, be here with all of you.

“We believe in all of you, we believe in your futures, we believe in your ability to continue telling your stories and to just be honest with each other. There is no need to suffer in silence. Just make sure that you’re taking care of yourselves (and) your mental health.

“So thank you to all of you. Thank you to these teams, to our executive director of the Archewell Foundation, whose birthday is today.”

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex thereafter visited the  Defence Headquarters in Abuja where they were received by the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa.

Also on hand to welcome them were wives of military officers led by the President, Defence and Police Officers Wives Association, Mrs Oghogho Musa and top officers of the Nigerian military.

The visitors went into closed door meeting with the defence chief, at the end of which they declined to speak with newsmen.

They later left for Kaduna to comfort Nigerian troops who were wounded across various theaters of operations and currently receiving treatment at the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital.

Prince Harry, who was y welcomed at the Kashim Ibrahim House, by the Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, said his visit was to r boost the morale of the wounded soldiers.

He said reports he earlier received from CDS Musa indicated that the Invictus Games, an initiative of the Prince, has brought joy to injured troops from Nigeria.

He said participating in the Invictus Games had a positive impact on the morale of wounded troops, restoring smiles to their faces.

In his remarks, Governor Uba Sani expressed gratitude to Prince Harry for the visit, recognising it as a testament to his dedication to inspiring recovery, aiding rehabilitation, and honoring the courageous troops.

“Your visit reminds us of another happy event 68 years ago, when Queen Elizabeth II, your grandmother, was welcomed to Kaduna on 2nd February, 1956, by our revered leader, the Premier of Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello (of blessed memory),” the governor said.

The governor described his guest as “a symbol of courage, perseverance, compassion, and the oneness of humanity.”

The Invictus Games, according to Wikipedia, is an international multi-sport event first held in 2014 for wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women, both serving and veterans.

The word ‘Invictus’ is Latin for ‘unconquered’, chosen as an embodiment of the fighting spirit of the wounded, injured and sick service personnel and what they can achieve post-injury.

The Invictus Games were founded by Prince Harry, the Ministry of Defense, and with the assistance of Sir Keith Mills. The inspiration came from Prince Harry’s 2013 visit to the Warrior Games in the United States, where he witnessed the ability of sport to help both psychologically and physically.[1]

The Games were launched on 6 March 2014 by Prince Harry at London’s Copper Box arena, used as a venue during the 2012 Olympics.

[TheNation]