Kwara APC members petition Tinubu over alleged anti-party actions

Concerned members of the Kwara State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have written to President Bola Tinubu, raising alarm over what they described as actions by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq that could undermine the party’s fortunes ahead of the 2027 General elections.

In a letter dated April 22, 2025, and signed by Olosasa Toyin, Onimasa Hazmat Ganeey, and Abdulraheem Alabi, the group expressed support for the President’s economic reforms, but warned that developments in Kwara risk eroding public trust in the APC.

The petition, copied to Nentawe Yilwatda, APC National Chairman, accused the governor of alienating party leaders and grassroots supporters through what they termed ‘undemocratic and coercive measures,’ including the alleged use of security agencies and litigation against party members.

They further claimed that rising insecurity in parts of the state had not been met with adequate empathy or response from the governor, a situation they said was damaging the party’s image.

The group also faulted Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq’s alleged attempt to influence succession politics, particularly his reported backing of the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Danladi Yakubu, describing it as self-serving and capable of deepening divisions within the party.

They urged President Tinubu to urgently intervene, warning that failure to address the issues could weaken the APC’s chances in Kwara in 2027.

However, AbdulRazaq could not be reached for comment as of press time.

The Bull Symbolism in the Mike Adenuga metaphor: A Tribute to Mr. Chairman @ 73

At seventy-three, the Bull still stands-unbowed, unhurried, unbroken-like an ancient force of nature that time itself has learned to respect rather than resist. The sun has not dimmed his radiance, nor has the passage of years corroded the architectural brilliance of his vision.

Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr., GCON, enters this season of life not as one who counts years, but as one upon whom years confer deeper meaning; not as a mortal marking time, but as a phenomenon through whom destiny continues to articulate itself. In him, existence appears to have found a metaphor dense with symbolism-an allegory of strength clothed in serenity, a parable of enterprise written in the ink of endurance.

His life reads less like a biography and more like a revelation; less like a chronology and more like scripture inscribed upon the unfolding parchment of African ambition.

From the ancient cradle of Ijebu-Igbo to the high vaulted corridors of global enterprise, his journey unfolds as a dialogue between man and destiny, between will and providence, between the clay of human limitation and the breath of transcendental possibility. He was not merely born into time; he appears to have been summoned by it, shaped for a purpose that refuses diminishment.

Like the sacred Bull that roams through the mythic imagination of civilisations, he evokes the archetype of grounded might-anchored in earth yet vibrating with thunder.

Across antiquity, the Bull has stood as a creature of sacred gravity: in Greek myth as divine disguise, in African cosmologies as emblem of continuity and fertile strength, in ancient philosophy as the embodiment of unyielding presence.

It is power without panic, force without frenzy, dominion without disorder. In such a symbolic mirror, the Adenuga narrative reflects not vanity but vision; not noise but necessity; not spectacle but substance.

His seventy-three years are therefore not merely lived-they are layered, like strata of meaning deposited by time itself. Each layer speaks of patience, of precision, of providence quietly at work beneath the visible theatre of success. He is the Bull not in brute assertion, but in composed sovereignty; not in chaotic charge, but in deliberate movement across the field of destiny. He does not rush history-he reshapes it.

To contemplate his industrial footprint is to engage with a philosophy disguised as enterprise.

His commercial universe is not merely an aggregation of assets but an architecture of intention. Through telecommunications, energy, and infrastructure, he has inscribed his will upon the economic grammar of a continent. His flagship creation in telecommunications did not simply enter a market; it altered its metaphysics. It spoke where silence once reigned, connected where distance once divided, and dissolved monopolies that had calcified into inevitability. It was not competition-it was liberation, a technological Exodus echoing through fibre and frequency.

Like the Bull breaking soil to reveal fertility, his ventures have consistently unsettled stagnation and summoned possibility. Beneath oceans and across continents, his infrastructural reach suggests not merely ambition but cartography-the mapping of Africa’s voice into the global conversation. In this, he becomes less a businessman and more a silent architect of connectivity, drawing invisible bridges between isolation and inclusion.

Yet the deeper marvel lies not in motion but in restraint. In the ancient schools of philosophy, wisdom was often measured not by what a man pursued but by what he refused to chase. In this regard, his patience becomes a doctrine. He builds slowly, deliberately, almost liturgically-as though each decision must first pass through the altar of contemplation before entering the world of action.

Time, for him, is not adversary but ally; silence, not absence but strategy; waiting, not inertia but intelligence refined to its purest form.

There is within this discipline an echo of Stoic composure, a resonance with the Aristotelian ideal of measured excellence, and even a faint reflection of the Christian ethic of stewardship-where dominion is not domination but responsible guardianship.

His strength is not loud; it is liturgical, like a hymn sung in the architecture of restraint.

And yet, paradoxically, his humility remains his most radiant crown. In a world intoxicated by visibility, he embodies the grace of withdrawal. He does not summon attention; he evades its tyranny. It is as though he understands an ancient spiritual truth-that light, when too exposed, loses its mystery, but when contained within humility, becomes revelation. His quietness is not absence but ascension; not withdrawal but elevation above the noise of spectacle.

Within the Christian imagination, greatness is often perfected in humility, and kingship refined through service. In this symbolic alignment, his life appears almost parabolic-a narrative in which wealth kneels before wisdom, and success bows to stillness. His influence does not shout; it resonates. It moves through systems like a hidden psalm, altering realities without announcing its arrival.

Even his philanthropy mirrors this theology of quiet abundance. It flows like subterranean rivers-unseen yet sustaining, modest yet transformative. He gives not as theatre but as truth; not as performance but as principle.

In this, he echoes the ancient wisdom that the most enduring generosity is that which does not require witnesses. His compassion is not staged beneath public lights; it is dispersed like morning dew-gentle, consistent, life-giving.

There is, moreover, an almost metaphysical quality to his presence in the economic imagination of the continent. One might say he moves through enterprise as though guided by an unseen geometry, a design too precise to be accidental. His decisions often carry the weight of inevitability, as if they were not merely chosen but revealed.

In such perception, the boundary between strategy and destiny becomes thin, almost imperceptible.

At seventy-three, the Bull does not recede; he ripens. His strength has not diminished-it has refined itself into wisdom. His fire has not cooled-it has matured into a steady glow capable of warming without consuming. He is no longer merely a force of expansion but a study in equilibrium, where power learns the dignity of stillness and ambition learns the discipline of restraint.

Thus the revelation of seventy-three is not decline but distillation. It is the unveiling of essence beneath achievement, of spirit beneath structure, of permanence beneath performance. It affirms that greatness, properly understood, is not a sprint of ambition but a pilgrimage of alignment between destiny and discipline.

And so the Bull continues-not as myth alone, but as living metaphor; not as memory, but as presence; not as echo, but as ongoing revelation. He moves through the world not to announce himself, but to affirm a truth older than enterprise itself: that enduring power is quiet, that true dominion is composed, and that the highest form of success is alignment with something greater than the self.

In the unfolding chronicles of our time, his name will endure not merely as a catalogue of achievements, but as a symbol of what becomes possible when human will is refined by patience, and when ambition is tempered by grace.

At seventy-three, the Bull still stands-steadfast in silence, magnificent in restraint, and eternal in metaphor.

More Return share manipulation case moves forward

Prosecutors have formally recommended the indictment of the former CEO of More Return Plc and two others accused of manipulating trade in MORE shares the Stock Exchange of Thailand in 2022.

Named in the indictment are Amarit ‘Hia Mo’ Klomjitcharoen, the former More CEO; Puntarik Israngkul na Ayudhya, CEO of Global Service Center (GSC); and Sumnuek Kayawatkit, chairman of Tong Hua Group.

They are charged with colluding to artificially influence the price and trading volume of MORE securities, misleading the public and engaging in fraudulent activities. Charges include violations of the Securities and Exchange Act (Sections 244/3 and 244/5), as well as fraud, criminal association and gang-related offences.

The stock scandal involving MORE, a utility services, trading and entertainment holding company, occurred in 2022. It is a high-profile Thai capital market fraud case valued at 4.5 billion baht in damages and has been described as a coordinated ‘broker robbery’, highlighted by stock price manipulation, fraudulent trading and the failure of brokerage firms to be paid.

Mr Amarit and Ms Puntarik reported to prosecutors on Wednesday and were escorted discreetly into the Criminal Court to avoid media coverage. Mr Sumnuek is not due to report until May 21, pending a review of his petition to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) regarding fairness in the investigation.

If the charges are formally acknowledged, both defendants must submit bail requests for temporary release during trial. Should the court deny bail, they will be remanded to the Bangkok Remand Prison and the Central Women’s Correctional Institution, respectively.

The case is one of Thailand’s most closely watched financial scandals, with authorities insisting that legal proceedings will continue in accordance with due process.

Warner Bros shareholders back copy10 billion merger with Paramount Skydance

Warner Bros Discovery shareholders on Thursday backed the company’s proposed UScopy10 billion merger with Paramount Skydance but cast an advisory vote against executive compensation plans tied to the deal.

Under the pay packages proposed to executives, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) David Zaslav could receive up to $887 million if the sale is completed.

Attention now ?turns to regulatory authorities, with both Washington and London expected to examine the merger’s impact on competition.

The US Department of Justice sent subpoenas in late March seeking information on how the merger would affect studio output, content rights, streaming competition and movie theatres.

Paramount triumphed over Netflix in a months-long bidding war, ?sealing the Warner Bros deal and cementing chief executive David Ellison as a powerful force in the rapidly contracting entertainment landscape.

The merger has faced considerable opposition from actors, film makers and theatre groups that have raised concerns about the loss of a major studio and its impact on the creative community, theatre owners and moviegoers.

“Shareholder approval marks another important milestone towards completing our acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery,” a Paramount spokesperson said.

The deal is expected to close in the third quarter ?this year.

The merger will reduce the number of major US film studios to four and lead to ?fewer jobs, creative opportunities and less choice for consumers, over 4,000 film industry professionals and consumers said in an open letter, which called on California Attorney General Rob Bonta to ?consider taking legal action to block it.

Ellison promised theatre owners that Paramount and Warner Bros will release at least 30 films a year if regulators clear the deal.

WUF13 in Baku to boost international cooperation

The upcoming 13th session of the United Nations World Urban Forum (WUF13), scheduled to take place in Baku from May 17 to 22, 2026, marks a significant milestone in Azerbaijan’s growing international presence, AzerNEWS reports.

Held under the theme “Housing the World: Safe and Resilient Cities and Communities,” the forum will bring together government representatives, international organizations, urban development experts, academics, and major corporations from across the globe.

Hosting such a prestigious global event highlights Azerbaijan’s expanding role as a hub for international dialogue and cooperation. It reinforces the country’s reputation on the world stage, while opening new avenues for investment, partnerships, and knowledge exchange in urban planning and sustainable development.

For Baku, the forum holds particular importance. As the capital city continues to evolve, WUF13 provides an opportunity to showcase its urban transformation, infrastructure development, and commitment to building resilient and inclusive communities. At the same time, it allows Azerbaijan to contribute actively to global discussions on housing, sustainability, and urban resilience.

The organization of an event of this scale also necessitates temporary adaptive measures across various sectors, including education. In line with the principle of continuity in learning, schools and educational institutions will transition to online instruction during the forum period. This approach ensures that students remain on track with their academic programs without disruption.

The temporary move to distance learning also presents opportunities. It contributes to the development of students’ digital competencies while enhancing the resilience and flexibility of the national education system.

Carpet Museum explores digital transformation and innovative exhibition strategies [PHOTOS]

The integration of digital technology with museum practices is reshaping how we interact with cultural heritage.

With new technological advancements and creative exhibition strategies, museums are improving visitor engagement and expanding the accessibility of their collections to audiences worldwide.

The Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum has hosted a seminar titled “Digital Technologies and Exhibition Practices in Museums,” focusing on the digital transformation of the museum sector and contemporary, bold approaches to exhibitions that make the perception of collections more engaging and accessible to audiences, AzerNEWS reports.

The main topics revolved around the “reboot” of museums in the digital age: from the creation of global online platforms to the implementation of daring design solutions within exhibition halls. Participants discussed how a regular collection viewing could become an exciting event and how to ensure a dialogue between culture and the modern generation.

A key discussion point was the digital development strategy presented by Vladimir Opredelenov, the Director of Development at the Almaty Museum of Arts, founder and CEO of the Digital Art and Technologies Agency, as well as a curator and ambassador of the digital art project ART Registry.

In his presentation “Innovation, Society, Culture: Unseen Connections,” he explained how digital technologies are changing museums. According to the expert, we are on the verge of erasing the boundaries between the physical and the virtual. Today, technology is not a competitor to art; it makes museums more alive and contemporary, where technology does not distract from art but helps viewers experience it more deeply.

In his talk “Museum Digital Development Strategy,” Opredelenov introduced the concept of a unified digital ecosystem. This framework represents the foundation for the museum’s new life, where the digitalization of collections and the creation of a cohesive digital ecosystem link collections, researchers, and audiences into a single, living network.

Lighting plays a special role in shaping the atmosphere of a museum. In her presentation “Lighting Dramaturgy in Museum Exhibitions: Method and Practice,” Ksenia Lanikina, a lighting designer, founder of the YARKO studio and the YARKO School platform, discussed the principles of lighting design based on the specific characteristics of exhibits and how lighting “brings exhibitions to life,” becoming their main storyteller.

Using examples from her own work, she demonstrated how the clever interplay of light and shadow can change the mood in a room and guide the viewer’s attention, emphasizing the most important aspects of the exhibition.

The meeting highlighted that the integration of digital strategies and subtle design creates an environment where cultural heritage becomes truly accessible to everyone.

The event received a positive response from the professional community, including curators, designers, and all those who are currently transforming the museum environment and making culture more accessible.

The Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum is one of the country’s most important cultural institutions dedicated to preserving, researching, and promoting the art of Azerbaijani carpet weaving, which is recognized as a key element of national heritage and has been inscribed on UNESCO’s lists of intangible cultural heritage.

The museum was established in 1967, and today it houses a rich and diverse collection of more than 10,000 exhibits, including rare carpets, carpet-making tools, national costumes, jewelry, and works of applied art that reflect different historical schools of Azerbaijani carpet weaving.

In recent years, the museum has built strong partnerships with leading museums and cultural organizations abroad by organizing and participating in exhibitions in more than 30 countries, including across Europe, Asia, and beyond.

These international projects allow Azerbaijani carpet art to be showcased to global audiences while also enabling academic collaboration in conservation, textile research, and museum studies.

ANCA’s Karabakh heritage campaign slides into pre-election propaganda

The Karabakh conflict, a tragedy that for decades stalled regional development, displaced hundreds of thousands, and claimed countless lives, has finally been relegated to the dusty shelves of history. The wounds opened by this long-standing confrontation have begun to cauterize. Those who suffered directly are striving to move forward, attempting to leave behind the shadows of those dark days, however difficult that may be.

However, against this backdrop of nascent peace, certain groups remain intent on reigniting the conflict. These factions appear blind to the fact that their policies bring catastrophe not only to Azerbaijan but to themselves as well. To fuel this new fire, they have resorted to a familiar and cynical tactic: claiming that Azerbaijan is destroying Armenian cultural heritage in Karabakh.

When one hears these accusations, the old proverb comes to mind: ‘The thief is the first to cry ‘stop thief!” It is a documented fact that Armenia is the last state with any moral authority to speak on the destruction of cultural heritage. This is not merely an Azerbaijani claim; one need only consult Thomas de Waal’s authoritative book, Black Garden, to understand the systematic erasure of Azerbaijani heritage within Armenia itself. De Waal provides ample evidence of the destruction of a mosque in Yerevan.

The devastation of the Azerbaijani cultural legacy was not limited to the Republic of Armenia. During the nearly 30-year occupation of Karabakh, the world witnessed the systematic desecration of Azerbaijani monuments. Long before these lands were liberated, Western and Russian media outlets published harrowing images and videos of historic mosques and caravanserais being repurposed as livestock stables. This evidence was documented not by partisans, but by neutral observers striving for objectivity.

The erasure reached such extremes that even the Armenian media or the mouthpieces of Armenian propaganda could not entirely hide it. Yerevan’s “Blue Mosque” has been repeatedly rebranded as an “Iranian Mosque” in Armenian media. Similarly, during the recent war, the War-Gonzo outlet-notorious for its anti-Azerbaijani and anti-Ukrainian stance-filmed the iconic Govhar Agha Mosque in Shusha and presented it as “Persian.”

It is necessary to digress here to clarify a fundamental point: unlike the national structures of certain Christian denominations, Islam is cosmopolitan. While sects exist, there is no such thing as an “ethnic” mosque. For example, in Christianity, one finds the Armenian Catholic or Armenian Orthodox Church-institutions tied specifically to a nation. In Islam, you will never find a “Turkish Sunni Mosque” or an “Azerbaijani Shia Mosque.” A mosque is a house of worship for all Muslims, regardless of ethnicity. By rebranding these sites, Armenian forces attempted to strip them of their Azerbaijani identity; where they could not destroy the stone, they tried to rewrite the history of the architects.

This pattern of “Armenian rebranding” does not limited to mosques and caravanserais, extending to the ancient churches of Azerbaijan. It is an established historical fact that Christianity predates Islam by some eight centuries. Consequently, many regions that are predominantly Muslim today once followed other faiths, such as Zoroastrianism and Christianity and more, prior to the Islamic era. Azerbaijan is no exception to this historical trajectory. Before the advent of Islam, the people of Azerbaijan practiced Zoroastrianism and Christianity, with Islam only gradually taking root and becoming the primary faith over time. Despite this clear historical progression, there is a persistent and tireless effort by Armenian interests to misappropriate these pre-Islamic churches-built by the ancestors of the Azerbaijani people-and present them exclusively as part of Armenian history.”

Historical sources prove that the Council of Aguen, convened to establish religious canons for Caucasian Albania, took place in the territory of Agdam in lower Karabakh. This council made pivotal decisions regarding the region’s economic, social, and religious life.

Furthermore, the most detailed account of this era is found in Movses Kaghankatvatsi’s The History of the Country of Albania. In this work, Karabakh is depicted as the beating heart of the Albanian state, home to numerous churches and sanctuaries. Historians attribute this density to the region’s mountainous geography, which served as a natural fortress. Kaghankatvatsi provides extensive details on sites like the Amaras Monastery and more, describing the pilgrimages of King Vachagan the Pious and the preservation of sacred relics.

Kaghankatvatsi’s chronicles also reveal a fascinating, often overlooked tension: he records a letter from the Armenian Church demanding that the Albanian Church submit to its authority. The Albanian Church’s response was firm: they noted that Christianity had been declared the state religion in Albania earlier than in Armenia, making the Albanian Church the elder institution.

History tells us that this struggle was finally decided in the 1830s, after the Russian Empire’s conquest of the region. Following a petition from Armenian Church, the Russian Tsar abolished the independent Albanian Church and transferred its archives, properties, and jurisdiction to the Armenian Church.

These facts, though often ignored, speak volumes. Kaghankatvatsi’s writings prove that the roots of the Karabakh issue do not lie in the late 20th century; they stretch back over a millennium.

More precisely, to destroy these churches and temples would be for Azerbaijan to destroy its own history. Why would Azerbaijan demolish the very evidence that proves its people have inhabited this region for thousands of years? These monuments are not foreign impositions; they are Azerbaijani heritage-testaments to a rich, multi-layered past that we are committed to preserving.

Court summons police detective as Sh4.5bn bank loan fraud row deepens

A magistrate court in Nairobi has summoned a police investigator to explain delays in arresting two businessmen accused in a Sh4.5 billion bank loan fraud case linked to collapse of Savannah Cement, even as parallel High Court battles over the matter intensify.

The trial magistrate directed the investigating officer to appear and account for failure to execute arrest warrants against Charles Hills Junior and Benson Sande Ndeta, the proprietor of Savannah Clinker Limited.

The summons followed protests by lawyers representing the complainant, John Gachanga, who accused the investigator of frustrating the case.

Mr Gachanga, Mr Ndeta and Mr Donald Kiboro Mwaura, are former business partners, having founded the collapsed cement manufacturer over a decade ago before falling out years later. It collapsed in 2022 under debts exceeding Sh14 billion before being revived under new ownership in 2025.

‘From the chronology of events, the investigating officer is working in cahoots with the accused persons to scuttle the hearing,’ the complainant’s advocate claimed in court.

They claimed that no effort had been made to apprehend Mr Hills, an American national believed to reside in the United States, or Mr Ndeta, a Kenyan.

Lawyers said State authorities had not explained difficulties in arresting Mr Hills to justify seeking an international warrant, nor why Mr Ndeta had not been presented for plea taking.

They further told the court that three separate applications had been filed at the High Court in what they termed a broader scheme to delay the criminal proceedings.

One of the applications, filed earlier by Mr Ndeta, sought to quash the criminal charges but was dismissed with costs. The court ordered the accused to appear before the trial court.

Despite that ruling, the defence has lodged fresh applications before different High Court judges seeking similar orders to halt the prosecution and review of the charges.

The prosecution opposed a request to issue a warrant of arrest against the investigator, instead urging the court to issue a summons.

‘I urge this court to issue a summons to the investigating officer instead of a warrant of arrest,’ prosecuting counsel Sonia Njoki said.

The magistrate scheduled the matter for mention on April 30, 2026, when the prosecution is expected to clarify the status of the pending High Court cases and the stalled arrests.

The investigator is also expected to explain why crucial documents have not been supplied to the complainants despite a court order.

At the High Court, the dispute has taken another turn after a judge consolidated two petitions filed by Mr Hills and Mr Ndeta challenging their prosecution.

The court ruled that the petitions raise similar issues and should be heard together to avoid duplication and wastage of judicial time.

The two directors are accused of fraudulently obtaining a $35 million (Sh4.5 billion) loan from Absa Bank using alleged misrepresentations and forged corporate documents.

When the consolidated petitions came up for hearing, the Director of Public Prosecutions sought more time to respond and to review an earlier decision that upheld the charges.

The judge directed that lower court records be forwarded for review before issuing further directions on May 6, 2026.

Court filings indicate the alleged fraud occurred between 2017 and 2018, when the accused purportedly presented themselves as authorised representatives of the company.

The complainants maintain they were unaware of the loan and insist the prosecution should proceed without interference.

They warn that repeated attempts to stop the trial amount to an abuse of court process and risk undermining earlier rulings that sanctioned the prosecution.

The unfolding legal battle now spans multiple courts, with the fate of the criminal trial hinging on both the execution of arrests and the outcome of the consolidated petitions.

The ICYF-ERC expresses its condolences on the death of Yuri Pompeev

The Eurasian Regional Center of the Youth Forum of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (ICYF-ERC) expresses its deepest condolences on the passing of renowned Russian writer and publicist Yuri Pompeyev. The condolences note that Yuri Pompeyev was one of the Russian cultural figures who, in the 1990s, during the occupation of Nagorno-Karabakh and adjacent Azerbaijani regions by Armenia, spoke out against the injustices committed against the Azerbaijani people.

He was one of the publicists who promptly condemned the crimes in Khojaly, writing the book “Karabakh in Blood” six months after the tragedy. Yury Pompeyev collaborated with the ICYFERC on the publication of his book “Karabakh Diary” in 2010 as part of the international campaign “Justice for Khojaly.” The ICYF-ERC once again expresses its deepest condolences over this loss and its confidence that the memory of this man will long remain in the memory of the Azerbaijan people.

Higher pay, leaner benefits eyed for new civil servants

The Comptroller-General’s Department in collaboration with relevant agencies is exploring guidelines to increase the starting income of newly appointed civil servants as it looks to ease the burden of medical care expenditure.

Patricia Mongkhonvanit, director-general of the department, said the government’s medical welfare expenses for civil servants are rising. For fiscal 2026, as of March 31 the government had already paid 64 billion baht in medical expenses for both active and retired civil servants, up 8.9 billion year-on-year.

She said one of the main reasons medical expenses have risen sharply is the unnecessary utilisation of benefits in many cases, such as the use of drugs outside the National List of Essential Medicines, though the government has issued a policy encouraging a shift towards the use of drugs on the list, which are more affordable.

More civil servants are “over-utilising” benefits, such as seeking second opinions from doctors because there is no cost to the patient, or undergoing duplicate laboratory tests when switching healthcare providers due to a lack of connected data systems, Mrs Patricia said.

In response, the department initiated a data monitoring system that operates almost in real time, detecting whether a beneficiary has used their benefits at three different hospitals on the same day, in which case the system will immediately suspend further use of those benefits.

In addition, there is monitoring of physicians’ prescriptions. Some hospitals such as Ramathibodi have introduced measures authorising only specialists to prescribe certain categories of medication, such as diabetes drugs.

To ensure efficient management of medical expenditures, she said one approach is to adjust the income structure and benefits for newly appointed civil servants.

Under this approach, higher base salaries would be offered to attract talented individuals to the public sector, in line with the preference of younger generations to manage their own finances. In exchange, medical welfare benefits for new entrants would be reduced.

“The medical welfare package for new civil servants in the future will change,” said Mrs Patricia.

“The government may allocate part of the budget for them to manage and purchase health insurance that suits their needs.”

The department previously considered introducing a system in which private health insurance companies would manage civil servants’ medical expenses. However, there were limitations as the civil servant medical welfare system requires coverage for healthcare costs throughout a person’s lifetime.

Most insurance companies typically do not cover elderly individuals, and some civil servants may live up to 90 years. Even when coverage is offered for older individuals, insurance premiums tend to be very high. As a result, this idea was ultimately shelved.

She said the proposed restructuring will not affect current civil servants. The reorganisation is still under discussion with the Office of the Civil Service Commission and the Budget Bureau, aiming to reach a clear conclusion and design an appropriate income system.