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The Federal Government of Nigeria has expressed concern over the failing health of its national, Pastor Benjamin Egbaji, currently facing trial in the Republic of Benin.

Egbaji, a businessman and cleric from Cross River State, has for about two years been detained in a hospital in Cotonou, the country’s capital under dehumanising conditions while his health deteriorated.

A statement by the Special Assistant on Communication and New Media to the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr Magnus Eze, disclosed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has called on the Benin authorities to release the Nigerian national so that he could have better medical care and also serve out his sentence in Nigeria.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, said discussions with the Nigerian Mission in Cotonou, indicated that Pastor Egbaji’s health is steadily worsening and he needs urgent and proper medical attention.

She stated that the Ministry had made spirited effort to rescue the troubled Egbaji in line with the citizen diplomacy thrust of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration.

The minister who in early August, visited Egbaji in the Cotonou hospital alongside the country’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Olushegun Adjadi Bakari, disclosed that the Ministry had requested the transfer of the Nigerian national to receive the deserved medical care and serve out his custodial term in Nigeria.

She explained that Nigeria was worried over the pace of the Benin authorities in addressing the situation and acceding to its request.

Noting the longstanding cordial relations between Nigeria and the Republic of Benin, founded on shared cultural heritage, bonds of trust, mutual respect, and a spirit of brotherhood, she urged the country to consent to Nigeria’s request and accelerate the release of the detained Nigerian pastor.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu also disclosed that Nigeria’s position was further highlighted in a recent letter to the Republic of Benin Government.

‘It is against this backdrop of solidarity and mutual goodwill that I seek Your Excellency’s kind consideration regarding the plight of a Nigerian national, Pastor Benjamin Egbaji, who has been serving a custodial sentence in Cotonou since October 2023 for a jail term of 10 years.

‘As Your Excellency may be aware, Pastor Egbaji has been in Benin Republic for over three decades, contributing meaningfully as an entrepreneur, pastor, and community leader.

‘Regrettably, his health has deteriorated severely while in detention. Two independent medical experts appointed by the court recently recommended that he be transferred abroad for urgent medical care, as local interventions have proved ineffective.

‘In the spirit of our longstanding friendship and in recognition of the humanitarian imperative, not being unmindful of the grievous nature of the offence he is charged with, we kindly request that Pastor Egbaji be repatriated to Nigeria to serve out the remainder of his sentence in a Nigerian Correctional Centre,’ she stated.

She reiterated that this gesture would demonstrate in practical terms the enduring spirit of fraternity and cooperation that bind Nigeria and the Republic of Benin.

The Alliance for Yoruba Democratic Movements, (AYDM), a coalition of 130 pan- Yoruba groups, has commended the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo Olu, for his decision to officially grant electricity distribution licenses to two new Distribution Companies, describing the as a unique initiative.

AYDM also commended the state deputy governor, Dr. Kadir Obafemi Hamzat, over the move, further describing it as the most important public interest decision in Lagos since 1999.

It would be recalled that the Lagos State Government had registered Excel Distribution Company and the IE Energy Lagos Limited, which will now take over Eko Electricity Distribution PLC and Ikeja Electric PLC.

The coalition gave this commendation in a statement jointly signed by its Secretary-General, Comrade Popoola Ajayi and the Mobilisation Director, Chief Kunle Oshodi respectively after its Executive Council meeting, saying that the decision of the Lagos State Government on the new licenses represented what it termed a ‘radical departure from gross corporate irresponsibility to a new frontier in the search for energy stability in Lagos State with far reaching implication on the South West and Nigeria.’

AYDM said Governor Sanwo-Olu and his team had through the move written their names in history, just as it quickly noted that it was not enough to register new DISCOs and, therefore, the need for both the Federal and state governments to probe the owners of DISCOs for their crime against the people.

This was just as the movement promised that it would in collaboration with other civil society organisations push for sanctions on the managers of the affected DISCOs by the international community by documenting their crimes, saying that many people had died due to their activities.

According to the coalition, people had died in Lagos either in hospitals due to abrupt disconnection by the said DISCOs or through power surges that had led ‘to the burning of many buildings where people lost their lives and property or through target attacks on property of energy users,’ declaring that the DISCOs were worse than the defunct National Electric Power Authority (NEPA), their predecessors.

‘Lagos and the people of the South West are praying for the Government of Lagos State for this bold step. The people have been subjected to the most horrendous crimes inflicted on innocent energy users by existing DISCOs who lack human conscience and driven only by primitive and ungodly accumulation of wealth,’ the AYDM said.

AYDM, however, urged the new DISCOs not to repeat the gross misconduct of their predecessors, saying that it was ready to work with them to reclaim lost public confidence, just as it expressed the belief that the new DISCOs would save business and industries from the fringe of collapse.

Besides, it also urged the Lagos State Government to explore cleaner energy possible from the tonnes of waste generated daily in the state.

‘The decision to register new DISCOs will save business and industries from the fringe of collapse. When there is no efficient electricity, businesses, health and industrial growth will suffer while social and night economy will crumble.

‘This has been the situation in Lagos. Millions of electricity users are sidelined by arrogant bullies who parade themselves as business operators but who lack any iota of human compassion but motivated by cruel zeal for profit,’ the movement said.

The Lagos State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reforms in Nigeria’s digital economy.

The party’s spokesman, Mogaji Seye Oladejo, said the government’s 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme is empowering young Nigerians in coding, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence.

He said, ‘President Tinubu has shown real vision by focusing on the digital economy. By training our youths in technology, he is preparing them not only for jobs today but also for the jobs of tomorrow.’

Oladejo also said the government’s plan to expand broadband to reach 70 per cent of the country by 2025, as well as policies like the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy and the Nigeria Startup Act, are creating ‘a strong base for innovation and growth.’

He pointed to Nigerian fintech companies as well as partnerships with Google, Microsoft, and Meta, which are giving training and support to youths.

‘The model first used in Lagos is now being applied nationwide. It is the backbone of a digital Nigeria that is creative, competitive, and ready for the future,’ Oladejo said.

He called on Nigerians to support the digital drive, saying it will bring jobs, attract investment, and place Nigeria in a stronger position in the world economy.

Nigeria and Qatar have strengthened their partnership in the area of combating illicit drug trafficking with the symbolic exchange of instruments of ratification between the two countries by the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig-Gen Mohamed Marwa (Rtd) and the Qatar Ambassador Ali Bin Ghanem Al- Hajri.

The exchange followed the historic signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between President Bola Tinubu and the Emir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, on 3rd March 2024 in Doha, on cooperation to combat illicit trade in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors.

Speaking at a brief ceremony at the Qatar Embassy in Abuja on Tuesday, Marwa expressed appreciation for the partnership between the two countries against a major threat to public health and security globally.

He assured that the NDLEA remains committed to collaborating with its counterpart in Doha, ‘to protect our people and countries from the threat of substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking.’

The NDLEA boss noted that, in the last four years, NDLEA had intercepted over 1,000 kilograms of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, cannabis and others heading to Qatar.

While commending the Qatar government for its peace-building efforts and tremendous humanitarian work across the world through the Qatar Foundation, the NDLEA boss sought the support of the Foundation in the area of the provision of rehabilitation facilities for the treatment of people struggling with drug addiction.

In his response, Ambassador Ali Bin Ghanem Al-Hajri assured Marwa that he would present the request to the Qatar Foundation.

He noted that the partnership between the two countries has improved greatly and, of recent, increased the number of travels between the two countries.

The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa, has urged stakeholders to increase investment in Nigeria’s creative sector to unlock its vast potential for inclusive growth, job creation, and global competitiveness.

Speaking at the 31st Nigerian Economic Summit (NESG) in Abuja on Tuesday, Musawa noted that the creative economy currently contributes about 2.3 percent to the national GDP and provides employment to more than 4.2 million people across various industries.

Highlighting the success stories of Nollywood, the Nigerian fashion industry, and Afrobeats, the Minister said these sectors demonstrate the country’s capacity to become a global creative powerhouse if adequately supported.

‘We must create an environment that attracts both local and international investors to our creative industries. This requires not only financial incentives but also a strong regulatory framework that ensures transparency, accountability, and ease of doing business,’ Musawa said.

She identified key challenges confronting the sector, including limited access to funding, inadequate infrastructure, and regulatory and policy bottlenecks, while calling on financial institutions to design instruments that cater to the unique needs of the creative industry.

‘I urge those present who represent the formal financial sector, to start to make considerations for the unique nature of our sector and its products,’ she stated.

Musawa also stressed the need for an enabling regulatory environment that promotes innovation and creativity, assuring stakeholders that her ministry remains committed to driving reforms in policy and governance to strengthen the industry.

‘Together, we can build a future where creativity and innovation drive sustainable economic growth and cultural prosperity for Nigeria. As Omoyemi Akerele, Founder and CEO of Lagos Fashion Week and Style House Files, once said, ‘The creative economy is not just about entertainment; it’s about creating a sustainable ecosystem that empowers our talents and showcases our rich cultural heritage to the world,” she concluded.

The workshop, themed ‘Building Productive Sectors: Investing in the Creative Economy,’ brought together key stakeholders, private sector investors, and creative entrepreneurs to explore strategies for harnessing the potential of Nigeria’s creative economy and building a resilient, globally competitive sector.

May Agbamuche-Mbu, a seasoned legal expert with over three decades of experience, has been appointed Acting Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), succeeding Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.

Born in Kano and hailing from Delta, Agbamuche brings a wealth of expertise in law, dispute resolution, and public service to Nigeria’s electoral body.

Her appointment marks a significant moment as INEC navigates its next chapter in ensuring free and fair elections.

Here are six key facts about the new Acting Chairman:

1. Birth Details

Born in Kano and hailing from Delta, May Agbamuche’s early exposure to Nigeria’s cultural diversity shaped her commitment to national unity. Her origins reflect a blend of northern and southern influences, informing her public service ethos.

2. Educational Background

Agbamuche earned an LLB from the University of Ife (1984), qualified as a Solicitor in England and Wales, and holds an LLM in Commercial and Corporate Law alongside postgraduate degrees in International Dispute Resolution and International Business Law. Her education at St. Louis Secondary School in Kano and advanced studies in London equipped her with a global legal perspective.

2. Career

With over three decades in law, Agbamuche led Norfolk Partners in Lagos, served on the Presidential Projects Assessment Committee (2010-2011), contributed to the Solid Minerals Sector Roadmap (2016), and has been an INEC National Commissioner since 2017. As THISDAY LAWYER editor, she shaped legal discourse, and now, as Acting Chairman, she leads INEC’s electoral mandate.

3. Achievements

A certified arbitrator and former Secretary of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Nigeria), Agbamuche authored 120 ‘LEGAL EAGLE’ editorials (2014-2016) and influenced policy through key roles in the PPAC and INEC’s Legal Unit. Her dual Nigerian-English legal qualifications and public advocacy have solidified her as a thought leader in governance and law.

5. Marital Life

Agbamuche-Mbu’s marital and family life remains private, with no public details about relationships or children. Her hyphenated surname hints at a marital connection, but her professional achievements dominate her public narrative.

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to achieving Universal Health Coverage, announcing the signing of an Executive Order that makes health insurance mandatory for all residents of the state.

Governor Sanwo-Olu restated this at the maiden edition of the 2025 Eko Health Convention, held on Tuesday in Lekki and organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Health, with the theme: ‘Lagos Health: Driving Innovation, Strengthening Systems, Leading Change.’

The governor, represented by his deputy, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, said the move aligns with the National Health Insurance Act by ensuring that every Lagosian contributes according to their ability and enjoys protection when they need care.

‘When we launched the Ilera Eko Health Insurance Scheme in February 2021, we made it clear that universal health coverage requires a reliable and inclusive system.

‘In July 2024, I signed an Executive Order making health insurance mandatory for all residents of Lagos State. Some may ask why health insurance should be mandatory? The answer is simple: without a shared pool of resources, universal coverage is impossible. When everyone participates, we protect families from financial hardship, strengthen hospitals, and make healthcare stable and equitable for all,’ he said.

Governor Sanwo-Olu noted that for health insurance to be truly effective, it must be supported by a strong emergency response system. He highlighted that the Lagos State Government, through the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS), has continued to strengthen the backbone of its emergency medical system to ensure that the promise of ILERA EKO is matched by the capacity to respond swiftly, efficiently, and compassionately when lives are at stake.

‘These attempts affirm our conviction that timely and efficient emergency care must be a right, not a privilege. The Lagos Emergency Medical Blueprint is already saving lives.

‘Today, Lagos boasts of 360 public health facilities and more than 3,500 private ones, forming a unified ecosystem where public and private providers work side by side to bridge divides, expand access, and uphold the promise of a truly integrated healthcare system for every resident,’ the governor said.

Sanwo-Olu urged health stakeholders to deepen investment in innovation, expand corporate social responsibility, and reimagine the future of healthcare through technology, creativity, and service, ensuring a system where access is determined not by income, but by need.

He further emphasised that good health is a shared responsibility, noting that progress in healthcare can only be sustained through partnership and the collective effort of every sector, profession, and citizen.

According to him, it is the collective responsibility of the people not only to hold government accountable but also to hold themselves accountable by enrolling in health insurance, participating in vaccination campaigns, eliminating mosquito breeding sites, reporting quackery, adopting healthy lifestyles, and demanding quality care.

He added that since its inception, his administration has prioritised Health and Environment in its THEMES agenda, pledging to build a healthcare system that is accessible, affordable, innovative, and of the highest quality.

Speaking further, Governor Sanwo-Olu highlighted major achievements under his administration, including the commissioning of new Maternal and Child Centres in Eti-Osa, Badagry, and Epe; the renovation and expansion of General Hospitals; and the construction of critical health facilities such as the New Massey Street Specialist Children’s Hospital, the Ojo General Hospital, the Lagos State Mental Health Institute in Ketu-Ejirin, and the Cardio-Renal Centre in Gbagada.

The State Commissioner for Health, Prof Akin Abayomi, in his address, said the new health blueprint of the state government would transform Lagos into Africa’s healthcare powerhouse, reducing mortality rates and boosting economic growth through a bold and data-driven overhaul of the health system.

Abayomi disclosed that Lagos currently loses about $1.5 billion annually to outbound medical tourism, a figure greater than the state’s health budget. He stressed that the new health transformation blueprint aims to build world-class facilities, expand health insurance coverage, and create jobs in the medical and biotech sectors.

‘The Governor’s blueprint includes climate-resilient hospital designs, modern general hospitals, a 500-bed psychiatric and rehabilitation centre, and the establishment of Lagos State University of Medicine and Health Science.

‘It also introduces a Smart Health Information Platform (SHIP), a digital system linking all public hospitals and primary health centers for efficient data sharing and decision-making. Our goal is clear. Lagos must become the health capital of sub-Saharan Africa, not just for Nigerians, but for the continent,’ he said.

The commissioner added that Africa must build healthcare facilities that are environmentally sustainable, technologically advanced, and globally competitive, noting that the plan could help reduce Nigeria’s dependence on foreign medical care while positioning Lagos as a hub for healthcare innovation and medical tourism.

In her opening address, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Government on Health, Dr Kemi Ogunyemi, underscored the importance of collaboration in reshaping the healthcare landscape of the state, affirming the government’s commitment to providing quality and affordable healthcare for all residents.

Ogunyemi explained that the government’s objectives and vision were clear, saying the focus was to educate and empower citizens to take full control of their health and wellness.

According to her, part of the objectives and vision is to ensure that the healthcare services provided by the state government are ‘of quality for every single person who lives in Lagos and the citizens of Lagos, because we want to improve the health service in Lagos.’

‘Therefore, we believe in collaboration, which is through the Public Private Partnership (PPP), because we, as government, know we cannot do it ourselves,’ Ogunyemi said.

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Oba Maduabuchi, has stated that the suit filed in the Federal High Court, Abuja to prevent ex-President Goodluck Jonathan from contesting in 2027 is ‘an abuse of court process.’

The senior lawyer made this known on Tuesday, while being interviewed on Arise TV’s Morning Show.

‘An abuse of court process is when you want to relitigate a case or an issue that has already been settled by a court of competent jurisdiction,’ he said.

He added that Jonathan’s qualification or disqualification has already been adjudicated in Yenegoa, and since ‘nobody has taken that issue on appeal . until that judgment is set aside, it remains what the law is.’

Maduabuchi said any party who takes that settled issue to a court of coordinate jurisdiction is simply ‘abusing the process of the court’ and branded such action as one by ‘a busy body.’

He observed that what controls any situation is the law in force ‘when the act in issue was done,’ asking whether Section 1373 existed in 2010 when Jonathan took the oath of office.

He said the law only came into effect in 2018 and ‘when Goodluck Jonathan was taking the oath of office . there was no statutory limitation . which could inhibit him from running his constitutionally guaranteed two terms.’

He questioned whether Jonathan swore any oath after the amendment of 1373 and likened attempts to apply a later law earlier to punishing someone under a law that did not exist when the act occurred.

He recalled that judges’ retirement age was formerly 65, then changed to 70, and asked if a judge who had retired just before that change would sue to be reinstated under the new law.

He emphasised that law demands certainty, and noted that ‘in 2011 and 2010, when Goodluck Jonathan swore the oath . Prohibition of 1372 was not in existence. It was not binding on him.’

He said no ‘pyrotechnic’ argument can breathe existence into a law that did not exist.

He further referenced a case in the Federal Court of Appeal which affirmed that Jonathan had the right to run and one cannot apply retrospective laws to him.

Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, has disclosed that about 98 percent of Nigerian workers will be exempted from paying Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) tax under the new tax laws scheduled to take effect from January 2026.

Speaking at a session during the 31st Nigerian Economic Summit (NES31) in Abuja, Oyedele explained that the reforms are designed to protect low-income earners and those living around the poverty line, while ensuring fairness and efficiency in Nigeria’s tax administration.

He further revealed that the Federal Government generated good revenue from tax last year, even as plans are underway to reduce the corporate income tax rate from 30 percent to 25 percent as part of the broader fiscal reform agenda.

‘The more inequality you create, the more time-bomb you have. These reforms are designed to strengthen governance around revenue generation, improve accountability, and ensure that tax revenues are effectively utilised,’ Oyedele said.

According to him, the reforms will help enhance Nigeria’s sovereign credit rating, lower borrowing costs for both government and businesses, and stimulate private-sector investment.

Oyedele noted that the reform process has been inclusive, with engagements across all sectors of the economy, including persons with disabilities, farmers, and Nigerians in the diaspora.

‘No one was left out. We worked with every State, consulted widely with stakeholders, and co-created solutions to the challenges identified in the fiscal system,’ he added.

He commended President Bola Tinubu for adopting an implementation-focused approach, which allows the Committee not only to design reforms but also to work directly with government institutions to execute them.

‘Our Committee is unique because we are not just submitting a report; we are part of the implementation process. The goal now is to ensure public understanding, capacity building, and effective rollout of these laws,’ Oyedele stated.

The reforms, he emphasised, are expected to broaden Nigeria’s tax base, improve compliance, and make the system more equitable, ensuring that those with the ability to pay contribute fairly, while protecting those most vulnerable.

The Gateway International Airport in Ogun State begins commercial flight operations, marking a significant milestone for the state’s economy and Nigeria’s aviation industry.

The airport’s launch is expected to ease congestion at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport, one of the busiest airports in Nigeria.

With its modern facilities and operational readiness, the Gateway International Airport is poised to become a catalyst for trade, investment, and tourism in the region.

The airport has secured an Aerodrome Operational Permit from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, making it the first airport in Nigeria to receive such certification under current regulatory standards.

This permit gives the airport an Aerodrome Reference Code of 3C and an Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Services rating.

The airport’s strategic location along the Ilisan-Iperu Remo road makes it easily accessible.

The commencement of flight operations at the Gateway International Airport is a testament to Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration efforts to boost the state’s economy and provide modern infrastructure.

The airport’s impact on the region is expected to be significant, with potential benefits including job creation, increased economic activity, and improved connectivity.

Value Jet Airline will operate two flights per week between Abuja and the Gateway International Airport, while a global logistics firm has committed to operating two weekly cargo flights between London and the airport.

The airport’s designation as an alternate landing site for Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport increases its strategic importance for both domestic and international aviation.

As the airport begins operations, it remains to be seen how it will shape the future of air travel in Nigeria.