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Court restrains EFCC from arresting Honda executives dealers

The High Court of Lagos State Lagos Judicial Division has restrained the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from arresting or detaining Honda Manufacturing (Nigeria) Limited Honda Automobile Western Africa Limited executives and over 200 other applicants in connection with a pending investigation.

Justice Olukayode Ogunjobi granted the interim injunction on October 28 this year after the applicants’ counsel Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN) leading Akinwale Irokosu A. Apara and T. Aluko moved the application.

The applicants comprise the two Honda companies their officers dealers distributors business associates and other individuals and businesses.

They approached the court seeking protection of their fundamental rights in connection with the EFCC investigation citing concerns over invitations for questioning threats of arrest and detention and alleged interference with their personal liberty freedom of movement and privacy.

The court granted the first prayer in the applicants’ motion for interim injunction holding that the relief covered prayers two to six.

The applicants had sought an order restraining the EFCC its officers agents and anyone acting on its behalf from arresting detaining or otherwise depriving them or their officers of their personal liberty in connection with the investigation pending the determination of the substantive suit.

They also sought orders restraining the commission from compelling them or their officers to report for questioning issuing further invitations to certain applicants dealers distributors and business associates or harassing intimidating and threatening them with arrest.

ýThe applicants further asked the court to restrain the EFCC from arresting or detaining certain individuals solely because they failed or were unable to honour further invitations issued in connection with the investigation.

ýThey also sought an order preventing the commission from taking steps to restrict their liberty without complying with the Constitution the Administration of Criminal Justice Act and other applicable laws.

ýThe suit was instituted under Sections 34 35 37 40 43 and 46 of the 1999 Constitution as amended and relevant provisions of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act.

ýThe matter was adjourned until November 13.

Imo varsity launches robotic surgery academy to train 500 medical professionals

Imo State University has partnered with the Imo Robotic Centre to establish a robotic surgery academy aimed at training 500 surgeons and other surgical professionals within two years in a move to expand access to advanced healthcare services and reduce Nigeria’s dependence on medical tourism. The initiative described by Consultant Urologist and Robotic Surgeon Prof Kingsley Ekwueme as Africa’s first dedicated university-based robotic surgery academy is expected to provide specialised training for more than 250 Nigerian surgeons alongside other medical professionals from across Africa.

Ekwueme who was recently appointed Professor of Robotic Surgery at Imo State University disclosed that the partnership followed a meeting with the university’s management on August 18 with an official university publication issued the following day. He said a memorandum of understanding was subsequently signed while a departmental building was allocated for the academy’s establishment. ‘We have successfully performed the first surgery in the region in August. We followed up with multiple robotic surgeries at the Imo Robotic Centre where many patients are already benefiting from this state-of-the-art technology now available for the first time in southeast Nigeria’ he said. ‘We have also partnered with Imo State University following a successful meeting on the 18th of August 2026 and launched the robotic surgery academy at the university.’

The professor said the academy would strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to deliver sophisticated surgical procedures locally while equipping healthcare professionals with the expertise required to operate robotic systems safely and effectively. According to him the programme will cover several surgical specialties including urology gynaecology and general surgery rather than concentrating solely on prostate-related conditions. ‘We are not only training surgeons but we are also training the whole surgical team. And this is very important because we want to train a team to be able to deliver safe and effective robotic surgery at their own local centre’ Ekwueme explained.

He added that the academy would support participating hospitals in acquiring and installing robotic equipment while providing technical training and assistance to ensure sustainable operations. Ekwueme said the Imo Robotic Centre developed in partnership with the Imo State Government under Governor Hope Uzodimma had commenced operations and successfully performed several robotic-assisted procedures. The development he noted would make advanced surgical treatment increasingly accessible to patients in the South-East many of whom previously had to travel long distances or seek specialised medical care overseas. ‘We have bridged the gap. So nobody needs to travel beyond leaving your house and driving a few minutes down the road to have your surgery’ he stated.

Explaining the benefits of robotic surgery Ekwueme said the technology provides surgeons with magnified three-dimensional views of the operating area and sophisticated instruments that enable greater precision during complex procedures. He identified prostate and kidney operations fibroid removal hysterectomy ovarian procedures bowel cancer surgery and selected gallbladder operations among treatments that could be performed using robotic assistance. According to him the technology can reduce surgical trauma blood loss and recovery time in appropriately selected patients when compared with conventional open surgery.

He stressed however that successful outcomes depend not merely on acquiring sophisticated equipment but also on the competence of the surgeons and supporting medical teams. ‘The surgeon has to also be proficient in the use of the robotic machine. And that is where this training that we are creating becomes important’ he said. The professor further disclosed plans to establish an oncology centre adjacent to the robotic surgery facility to provide advanced cancer diagnosis and treatment services. He said a medical institute was also being developed through collaboration between the state government and the Imo Robotic Centre to strengthen specialised medical services and professional training.

Ekwueme who also serves as Clinical Lead for Urology in North Wales at Glan Clwyd Hospital United Kingdom said his experience in developing robotic surgery programmes overseas had strengthened his determination to introduce similar capabilities in Nigeria. He said his team had performed more than 145 robotic procedures through a programme he developed and he had been involved in specialist training and the introduction of robotic technologies. He also said his team performed what he described as West Africa’s first robotic-assisted gynaecological operation through its programme with the patient discharged on the same day.

On the economic implications Ekwueme maintained that expanding robotic surgery services across Nigeria could reduce expenditure on overseas medical treatment and create opportunities for Nigerian healthcare professionals working abroad. He urged the Federal Government to review import duties and other charges on sophisticated medical equipment to encourage investment and improve access to advanced treatment. ‘We know how to acquire affordable robotic systems. I will advise any public institution to come to train with us. We will help them to acquire robots without a doubt’ he said.

The professor also called on chief medical directors of public hospitals to explore partnerships with the academy for training equipment procurement and the establishment of robotic surgery units. He expressed optimism that the initiative would help reverse the migration of skilled medical professionals and position Nigeria as an emerging destination for specialised surgical care. ‘In ten years I see every Nigerian having access to robotic surgery anywhere in Nigeria. I see a Nigeria where brain drain would be significantly less’ he said. ‘I dare to predict there is going to be a reversal of brain drain. A reversal back to Nigeria.’

Explaining the clinical benefits of robotic surgery Ekwueme said the technology could be deployed across several medical specialties including urology gynaecology general surgery and selected cardiac procedures. He identified prostate and kidney operations fibroid removal hysterectomy ovarian procedures bowel cancer surgery and certain gallbladder procedures among treatments that could be performed using robotic assistance. According to him robotic systems provide surgeons with highly magnified three-dimensional views of the operating field and sophisticated instruments that allow greater precision during complex procedures potentially reducing surgical trauma blood loss and recovery time in appropriately selected patients. ‘The advantages of robotic surgery cannot be overstated’ he said.

Beyond expanding treatment options Ekwueme expressed optimism that the initiative would help establish a sustainable network of technologically equipped hospitals across Nigeria enabling patients to access advanced surgical care locally while creating opportunities for highly skilled Nigerian medical professionals working abroad to return home. ‘In ten years I see every Nigerian having access to robotic surgery anywhere in Nigeria. I see a Nigeria where brain drain would be significantly less’ he said. ‘I dare to predict there is going to be a reversal of brain drain. A reversal back to Nigeria.’

Describing the development as a potential turning point in the country’s healthcare delivery system Ekwueme expressed confidence that sustained investment in medical technology specialist training and institutional partnerships could transform access to advanced surgical services. ‘I seriously believe that a medical revolution is happening in Nigeria at the moment’ he declared.

Presidency open to review of proposed Real Estate Regulatory Law – Aide

The Presidency has assured stakeholders in the housing and real estate sector of its readiness to review proposed legislation aimed at regulating the industry to address existing legal concerns without imposing excessive regulations or increasing the government’s recurrent expenditure.

The Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives) Wasiu Olanrewaju-Smart gave the assurance on Monday at a stakeholders’ conference on the proposed National Real Estate Regulatory Authority.

He also acknowledged the House of Representatives for its continued collaboration with the executive arm of government.

Olarenwaju said the Presidency was prepared to give the proposed legislation a fair review particularly regarding its relationship with the Land Use Act and the need to establish an effective regulatory framework for the sector.

He stressed the need to determine how the proposed law would align with the existing legal framework while ensuring that regulation did not become excessive.

According to him the government was also concerned about how the proposed agency would be established and integrated into the existing government structure without unnecessarily increasing recurrent expenditure.

‘We want to know to what extent this proposed legislation addresses and reconciles the position of the Land Use Act and to what extent we are going to regulate the practice in this sector without over-regulating it’ he said.

Olarenwaju urged professionals and other stakeholders in the housing and real estate industry to provide guidance on the proposed legislation expressing confidence that their expertise would help address concerns surrounding its implementation.

He said their contributions would be valuable in determining how the proposed agency could operate effectively within the existing government structure while avoiding unnecessary expansion of public spending.

The presidential aide reaffirmed the government’s commitment to working with stakeholders to strengthen the housing and real estate sector assuring them of its readiness to support initiatives that would promote the industry’s development.

‘I would like to assure you that the government is ready to partner with you and promote a stronger housing and real estate sector’ he said.

The proposed legislation is expected to generate further discussions among lawmakers government officials and industry practitioners on the appropriate regulatory framework for the sector its relationship with existing laws and the financial implications of establishing a new agency.

Fresh off the Press: Falling in Reverse – ‘Joseph’

If you thought modern heavy music had run out of ways to completely shock the system, think again. Falling in Reverse frontman Ronnie Radke has never been one to play by the rules of the industry, but his latest single, ‘Joseph,’ completely shatters the ceiling of expectations.

Serving as a spiritual and literal successor to the chaotic masterpiece ‘Ronald,’ this explosive anti-war metal epic is not just a song; it is a seismic cultural event for the heavy music landscape. Named after Radke’s own middle name, ‘Joseph’ acts as a massive powder keg. It achieves what many music enthusiasts believed to be impossible reuniting Slipknot’s legendary frontman Corey Taylor and System of a Down’s iconic visionary Serj Tankian on a single track for the very first time in their decades-long illustrious careers.

An engineered electronic and djent assault

The song itself is a masterclass in sonic whiplash, meticulously engineered alongside collaborators like Jason Richardson and Luke Holland. It opens unexpectedly with a darkly elegant, piano-driven melody and an atmospheric choir. Radke sets a somber, haunting tone, contemplating the relentless gears of the global war machine and the human collateral left in its wake. But just as you settle into the melody, the track shifts gears into overdrive with rapid-fire raps, blistering metal arpeggios, and a pulse-pounding electronic beat.

The unprecedented gathering of music icons

The genius of ‘Joseph’ lies in how perfectly it utilizes its iconic guest stars. Corey Taylor emerges in a storm of fury, delivering an old-school Slipknot masked, rapid-fire verse aimed squarely at institutional violence and systemic failures. His signature, powerful gravelly roar injects a raw, frantic adrenaline into the mix, complete with a clever nod to Radke’s early days in Escape the Fate.

After a punishing, djent-heavy breakdown, the instrumental pivots beautifully into jazz-chord territory, allowing Serj Tankian to shine. Tankian’s contribution is distinctly operatic, haunting, and poignant, utilizing his signature vocal style to reflect on the historical and ongoing horrors of genocide.

Cinematic chaos meets chart dominance

To accompany this auditory assault, the band released a jaw-dropping, high-budget music video directed by Jensen Noen. The video is a surrealist, cinematic feast featuring plane crashes, high-speed motorcycle chases, and a literal mountain of skeletons that visualizes the track’s apocalyptic themes. Seeing Radke, Taylor, and Tankian performing together onscreen is a surreal moment that cements this collaboration as an instant classic. Following the massive streaming success of their standalone collaborations like ‘God Is a Weapon’ with Marilyn Manson, Falling in Reverse has proven once again that they are the premier provocateurs of modern rock. ‘Joseph’ is a manic, chaotic, and completely unhinged epic that demands to be heard.

Medical bills set to rise 13pc, signalling higher premiums

Medical bills are expected to rise 13 percent next year, beating the global average and Kenya’s inflation in a forecast that is set to put pressure on insurers to raise premiums.

London-headquartered professional services firm Aon says in its 2027 Global Medical Trend Rates Report that medical inflation in Kenya will reach 13 percent next year, moderating from 13.5 percent this year but remaining above the global average of nine percent.

Aon says the expected increase in the cost of treating patients and providing healthcare services is the product of an increase in the cost of basic needs or inflation, increased hospital visitations, a surge in drug costs, and a rise in imports.

‘The trend rate figures shown in this report represent the percentage increases in medical plan unit costs, both insured and self-insured, that are anticipated for the coming year,’ states Aon.

The rising medical costs could force insurers to increase premiums to match the swelling hospital bills.

The rising medical payouts have come on the back of escalating healthcare costs, increased hospital visits, and higher utilisation of outpatient and specialised services, leaving insurers weighing premium hikes, even as some have dropped some clients.

Medical costs such as consultation, laboratory tests and medicine have been on the rise, accelerating health inflation as major hospitals such as Nairobi Hospital pushed to charge insurers more.

Nairobi Hospital had rolled out an increase in prices ranging from 2.07 percent to 61.3 percent or between Sh70 and Sh5,000, affecting services such as computed tomography (CT scan), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound, X-rays, bed charges and intensive care unit (ICU). However, it shelved the increment after uproar from insurers.

Employees under employer-backed medical plans could see their employers review medical benefits, potentially exposing them to higher co-payments, deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses as companies seek to contain the cost of providing healthcare coverage.

Kenya’s projected 13 percent increase will mark the first moderation of the pace in five years, with the rate having climbed from 9.8 percent in 2023 to 12.5 percent the following year and 13 percent in 2025.

Aon’s forecast, which estimates annual changes in the cost of employer-sponsored medical plans, draws on expectations from its professionals working with corporate clients and insurers in more than 100 markets across the world.

Kenya’s projected medical inflation also exceeds its expected general inflation rate of 5.9 percent by 7.1 percentage points, indicating that healthcare costs will continue rising much faster than the overall cost of living.

The increase is also higher than North America (9.2 percent), Asia-Pacific (9.7 percent) and Europe at 7.5 percent. Latin America and the Caribbean are projected to record a 10.4 percent increase.

The Middle East and Africa region is expected to post a 12.2 percent increase, down from 15.3 percent in 2026. Aon attributes the moderation largely to easing foreign exchange volatility and lower general inflation.

‘While medical trend is easing, it remains more than triple the rate of inflation. Companies must take a proactive, data-led approach to managing costs while protecting the value of employee benefits,’ said Michael Pedel, head of global benefits at Aon.

The report ranked Kenya ninth highest in projected medical inflation among 19 African markets covered.

Kenya’s projected rise in medical costs is below Ethiopia (35 percent), Angola (25.5 percent), Egypt (23 percent), Nigeria (20.9 percent), Zimbabwe (18 percent) and Ghana, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mauritius at 15 percent each.

Some of the African countries where employer-backed medical insurance schemes will see lower increases than Kenya include Côte d’Ivoire (10.3 percent), Zambia (10 percent), South Africa (9.8 percent), Tunisia (9 percent) and Botswana (8.5 percent).

Others are Lesotho (8 percent), Mozambique (7 percent), Uganda (7 percent), Morocco (6.5 percent) and Tanzania (5 percent).

Aon says the moderation in healthcare cost increases across Africa is largely driven by easing foreign exchange volatility and lower general inflation. However, dependence on imports and the rising prices of private and specialist care continue to keep medical cost increases in double digits.

‘The region [Africa] is still heavily impacted by the cost of imported pharmaceuticals, and the rising cost of private and specialist care is keeping the gross trend rate in the double digits,’ said Aon.

Beyond these market-specific pressures, Aon identifies chronic and lifestyle-related conditions as major drivers of medical plan costs globally. Cardiovascular disease remains the leading contributor, followed by cancer and hypertension.

Physical inactivity and obesity are key risk factors, while rising diabetes prevalence and newer prescription medicines are expected to add to future costs.

‘While the leading cost conditions remain unchanged, obesity and diabetes are becoming increasingly important drivers of future healthcare costs,’ said Kathryn Davis, vice-president and data and analytics leader, global benefits at Aon.

Adekanmbi parleys Oyo pensioners, urges them to be vigilant, resist manipulation

The governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Oyo State, Mr Bimbo Adekanmbi, has urged members of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) in the state to ensure that their votes count in 2027.

Adekanmbi stated this on Monday during an interactive session with the leadership and members of the union at Pensioners FM, Agbarigo, in Ibadan.

He said they must resist attempts by manipulators to rob them of their votes and cause crises in their various polling centres across the state.

‘You must not only exercise your voting rights but also take responsibility for ensuring that your votes count. The electoral mandate requires vigilance before, during and after elections,’ he said.

The APM candidate, while citing the recent Osun governorship election as a good example, added that the involvement of pensioners and organised labour in protecting votes demonstrated the importance of citizens’ participation in safeguarding the electoral process.

‘Let me urge you all (Oyo pensioners) to adopt a similar approach in 2027 by remaining at your polling units after voting to monitor the counting, recording and collation of results.

‘Don’t just go out to vote and return home. You must be vigilant and ensure that your votes count. Protect your votes against hijackers. What happens after casting your ballot is equally important. You must remain alert and follow the process to its logical conclusion,’ he urged.

On his governance agenda, Adekanmbi promised to build on the achievements of Governor Seyi Makinde, saying his administration, if elected, would consolidate existing development efforts and take the state to a higher level of competitiveness and wealth creation.

He explained that Makinde’s first term was characterised by accelerated development, while the second focused on sustainable development, adding that his proposed administration would pursue what he described as continued development.

‘Now, my own is being built on continued development. That means there has been acceleration, there has been sustainability, and now you want to position the state for competitiveness, for wealth creation and for getting to the place where it should be in the comity of states,’ he said.

The former commissioner said he would not allow the development trajectory of the state to decline, arguing that the achievements of the present administration should serve as a foundation for further progress.

‘If somebody has done so much over the course of his two terms, the bar must not be dropped. The graph must be up and never flatten out or come down. The graph must continue to grow,’ Adekanmbi said.

Adekanmbi, who said his experience in government had given him firsthand knowledge of the state’s financial and administrative challenges, added that he understood the issues confronting Oyo State and had identified areas requiring urgent intervention.

‘I have firsthand information about the challenges of Oyo State. I know where the problems are, and I know the areas that require attention. I will work on the loopholes and ensure that we continue to move forward,’ he said.

The APM candidate further promised to establish periodic meetings with pensioners if elected, saying the engagement would provide an avenue for retired workers to communicate their concerns directly to his administration.

PRESS RELEASE – UNIVERSITY OF CYPRUS

The University of Cyprus successfully hosted the 2026 Workshop on Distributed Computing, Optimization and Learning (WDCL 2026) from 14 to 16 October 2026 at its campus in Nicosia. The event brought together international researchers, early-career scientists and industry representatives, including ABB Corporate Research (Sweden) and Sig.Network, to exchange scientific advances and build new connections. Following previous editions in Paris (2024) and Munich (2025), the workshop highlighted the importance of international cooperation and academia-industry partnerships in developing intelligent and autonomous systems.

International organization and European research support

WDCL 2026 was jointly organized by Prof. Themistoklis Charalambous of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Cyprus, Prof. Derya Malak and Prof. Petros Elia of EURECOM, France, who served as General Co-Chairs and Technical Program Co-Chairs. Their collaboration reflected the international character of the workshop and its commitment to scientific exchange across institutions and borders.

The event was supported by the University of Cyprus and the European Research Council (ERC) projects MINERVA and SENSIBILITÉ. MINERVA, led by Associate Professor Charalambous at the University of Cyprus, studies emerging cooperative autonomous systems and the role of information and communication in distributed control, estimation and decision-making.

Advancing research in distributed intelligence

As technological systems become more interconnected, a major challenge is enabling devices, intelligent agents and computing units to cooperate, learn and make decisions without centralized coordination. This research is relevant to autonomous vehicles, robotics, next-generation wireless networks, smart energy systems and distributed artificial intelligence.

The scientific program addressed distributed optimization, control and coordination; federated and distributed machine learning; privacy and trustworthy computation; information-theoretic foundations of learning; communication-efficient learning; resilient distributed systems; coding and computation-communication trade-offs; and game theory, fairness and incentives. It featured two plenary presentations, ten invited talks and contributed poster presentations, with particular emphasis on the interplay between computation, communication, learning and control.

Bridging academia and industry

The participation of ABB Corporate Research from Sweden and Sig.Network added valuable industrial perspectives. Exchanges between researchers and company representatives illustrated how fundamental research and practical requirements complement one another: academic advances underpin efficient and reliable distributed technologies, while industrial challenges guide research towards real-world applications. These interactions opened opportunities for joint research, knowledge transfer, technology validation and innovation, while helping early-career researchers connect their work to industrial needs.

Strengthening international scientific collaboration

WDCL 2026 provided a forum to build on existing collaborations and establish new connections among participants from different countries, institutions, and disciplines. Plenary lectures, invited talks and poster sessions without parallel tracks encouraged sustained discussion among established researchers, young scientists and industry representatives. By hosting the event, the University of Cyprus reinforced its commitment to research excellence, internationalization and academia-industry engagement, including in distributed and networked systems, communication-aware optimization, cooperative autonomous systems and intelligent wireless networks.

The successful completion of WDCL 2026 marked another milestone for this international workshop series. Discussions in Nicosia are expected to inspire further research and collaboration in distributed computing, optimization and learning. The University of Cyprus thanks the speakers, presenters, participants, industry representatives, organizers and supporters who contributed to the event.

PDP members back Sani over roads in Kaduna

Members of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Soba Local Government Area of Kaduna State have declared their support for Governor Uba Sani ahead of next year’s governorship election citing his building of roads in their communities.

The residents said they would support the governor at the polls despite their membership of the opposition party noting that his performance in infrastructure development had earned him their backing.

One of them Adamu Danburam a PDP coordinator in his area said he would vote for Sani because the governor had done for his community what the PDP had failed to do.

He said: ‘I am a staunch PDP member but for us politics is about individuals. Although we belong to the PDP I will vote for Sani because he has done for me what the PDP could not do.

‘Even as a PDP coordinator in my area I will vote for Sani because we should vote for someone who knows our community and has done something to improve our lives. I support him because he has constructed a road for us.’

Danburam prayed for the governor to complete his tenure saying residents hoped he would address other challenges facing their communities if re-elected.

He appealed to the governor to provide a hospital electricity and potable water for Birnin Da’a village.

Another PDP member Dogara Mohammed said he had never changed political parties but would vote for All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming election because of the road built through his community.

‘Everybody knows that I have never changed political parties but this time I will vote for APC because of the road he constructed through our town.

‘The road will benefit many people including future generations. It will also help many people across the country especially those who use it to travel’ he further said.

Mohammed added that the residents intended to reward the governor for the project through their votes.

Similarly Hassan Abdullahi said the poor condition of roads had previously made it difficult for farmers to transport their produce to markets in Soba and other locations particularly during the rainy season.

‘Before the road was constructed we faced serious difficulties because of the poor road network. It was difficult to transport our farm produce to markets especially during the rainy season.

‘But now Governor Sani has built a road linking Gurundafi Soba and Turawa. We can reach our destinations easily within a few minutes.

We are truly grateful’ he said.

The residents described the road project as an intervention that would improve transportation ease the movement of farm produce and support economic activities in their communities.

Kaduna State Government has also built roads in other parts of the state including a 15-kilometre road linking Kasuwar Magani to Wusar in Kajuru Local Government and a 23-kilometre road linking Madaci to Madakiya and extending to Kafanchan in Jema’a Local Government Area of Southern Kaduna.

Dead pets dumping in Bulacan: Senators seek tougher measures; probe set

Several senators are seeking to strengthen existing laws against animal cruelty as they condemned the dumping of the remains of several animals in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan.

They are also conducting an inquiry into the incident involving Ahjay Paws Aftercare Pet Crematorium in Bacoor City, Cavite, which was allegedly behind the dumping of the animal remains.

The senators also called on authorities and concerned agencies to thoroughly investigate the incident and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.

‘We will look into this matter in aid of legislation to determine what gaps need to be addressed and what measures can be strengthened to prevent similar incidents from happening again,’ said Sen. JV Ejercito in a statement.

‘It is upsetting and heartbreaking to find out what happened to these animals. Our pets are part of our families. They give us unconditional love and loyalty. The least we can do is give them the care, protection, and dignity they deserve, even in their final resting place,’ he added.

Sen. Pia Cayetano, in a separate statement, said that she will also be filing a resolution to look into the matter in aid of legislation to strengthen existing laws.

‘As a pet owner, I understand the grief of losing a pet. A lot of us follow rituals for a proper goodbye. [The incident] was a wanton display of negligence and disdain for the deceased pets and is actionable,’ she said.

She added that pet owners have a right to demand fulfillment of the contract and seek damages for the harm and distress they have suffered.

Cayetano also noted that the dumping of the remains in a vacant lot also raises health and sanitation concerns and may constitute another violation.

Sen. Francis Pangilinan, meanwhile, said that he continues to push for measure that would provide stronger protection for animals through Senate Bill No. 2501 or the Revised Animal Welfare Act.

He said the bill proposes the establishment of an Animal Welfare Bureau that would oversee the setting and enforcement of standards to ensure proper care for animals.

‘This includes providing adequate food, water, and shelter, access to veterinary services, and protection from cruelty. In the final version of the law, we will include facilities such as pet crematoriums,’ he said. ‘Our love and care for our pets should not end with their death. They should also be given a proper and dignified final resting place,’ added Pangilinan.

Central District faces up to 180 El Niño heat-related deaths

Botswana’s Central District could record as many as 180 heat-related deaths between October 2026 and March 2027, according to projections from a climate research model, as a developing El Niño threatens to intensify extreme temperatures and worsen drought conditions across the country.

The Climate Impact Lab’s El Niño Heat Mortality Tracker, developed at the University of Chicago, identifies parts of the Central District as among Botswana’s most vulnerable areas, highlighting the potential human cost of prolonged heat as the country prepares for months of above-average temperatures and below-normal rainfall.

The projections come as the Department of Meteorological Services warns that El Niño could strengthen and persist into early 2027, raising concerns about the combined effects of extreme heat, water shortages and pressure on public health.

The tracker estimates between 49 and 180 heat-related deaths in areas including Nata, Sowa Town, Mmadinare, Serowe, Palapye, Mahalapye, Orapa and Khwee over the six-month period. Kweneng and the North-West District are projected to record between 15 and 49 deaths, while Ghanzi faces an estimated toll of between zero and 10.

The figures are model-based estimates that compare projected mortality with historical conditions, rather than confirmed deaths or a definitive forecast of how many people will die.

The threat extends beyond Botswana. The tracker projects Nigeria to record more than 56,000 heat-related deaths during the period, followed by India with about 55,200. Indonesia, Brazil and Sudan round out the five countries with the highest projected tolls, at approximately 29,300, 19,500 and 14,700 deaths, respectively.

‘The 2026/27 regional outlook indicates an increased likelihood of below-normal rainfall and above-average temperatures across Botswana,’ Director of Meteorological Services Chandapiwa Sebeela said during a government briefing reported by DailyNews on October 28.

The outlook raises concerns about risks to vulnerable populations, including older people, children, people with existing health conditions and workers exposed to direct sunlight. Prolonged heat can cause dehydration, heat exhaustion and potentially fatal heatstroke.

The Ministry of Health has warned that high temperatures can increase the risk of heat-related illness. Symptoms include excessive sweating, fatigue, breathing difficulties and confusion, according to a government briefing.

The combination of heat and reduced rainfall could also deepen pressure on food security and water supplies. Drought can damage crops, reduce grazing and water availability for livestock, and increase the risk of food shortages. Restricted access to safe drinking water can further heighten the risk of diarrhoeal diseases, particularly among children.

‘Our research puts new forecasting capabilities to work to answer one of the most urgent questions we face: where is extreme heat likely to cost lives?’ Michael Greenstone, a co-founder of the Climate Impact Lab and an economics professor at the University of Chicago, said in the announcement introducing the tracker.

The researchers say the projections are intended to help governments identify high-risk areas and direct interventions before deaths occur. Measures such as heat-warning systems, improved access to healthcare, cooling centres and stronger protections for outdoor workers could help limit the toll.

Authorities in Botswana have urged residents to minimise prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, schedule outdoor activities during cooler morning hours, seek shade and drink water regularly.

The eventual impact will depend on local temperature conditions, the duration of heat exposure, population vulnerability and the effectiveness of preventive measures. The projections nevertheless highlight the potential for extreme heat to become a significant public-health threat as El Niño-related conditions develop.