Category: Nigerian Tribune

The Kogi State Government has announced that it will begin strict enforcement of the ban on trailer parks across the state with effect from October 29, 2025, in line with the directive of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo.

Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, who disclosed this in Lokoja, said the decision followed credible intelligence reports that some trailer parks in the state, particularly those located at Zariagi and Osara, have become hideouts for criminal elements.

According to him, the government cannot fold its arms while such facilities are used to compromise the security of lives and property in the state.

‘The directive of His Excellency, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, is clear. From October 29, 2025, the state will begin full enforcement of the ban on trailer parks. Intelligence at our disposal shows that some of these parks, especially those at Zariagi and Osara, harbour criminals who threaten the peace and security of our people. This is a proactive and preventive measure. We have decided to move ahead of the criminals instead of lamenting that lives might have been lost. Government will not allow that to continue,’ Fanwo said.

He revealed that security agencies across the state have been strictly briefed to enforce the order without compromise, stressing that violators will face the full weight of the law.

The Commissioner further noted that the enforcement is backed by law, as Governor Ododo has already signed into law a bill banning the movement of articulated trucks during the day.

Fanwo urged operators to comply before the enforcement date and called on residents to support the government’s action, stressing that protecting lives and securing communities remain the top priority of the present administration.

THE boundary between superstition and criminality is thin. That explains the case in Bauchi State where recently, a housewife, Zuwaira Ibrahim, was alleged to have inflicted severe burns on her seven-year-old sister-in-law over allegations of witchcraft. The victim was inflicted with severe burns around the lower part of her body, particularly her private parts. Media reports said the helpless girl was brutally burnt by her brother’s wife. After the housewife had successfully caught ‘the witch’, the victim of this criminality, and subjected her to extreme cruelty, life became a nightmare for the girl. Medical personnel handling the case at the emergency ward of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) have been battling to save her life. She is said to be currently writhing in pain. The scary but unfortunate incident occurred in Magama-Gumau in Toro Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

In her warped thinking, Zuwaira Ibrahim investigated and convicted the victim of witchcraft, then embarked on the process of extracting confession which led to the severe burns. According to a resident of the area, Kabiru Mohammed Abdulkadir, ‘Zuwaira’s child told her that she saw the victim amongst a group of witches and was taken to a man to confirm whether she really belongs to a witchcraft group. The man told them that she was not a witch but Zuwaira disagreed with the confirmation. They returned home and she then used a hot knife removed from the fire to burn her private parts, believing that if she is a real witch she won’t feel pain. However, it was the girl’s loud cries that attracted neighbours and when we got there, we saw the situation and insisted that the case be reported to police immediately.’ Pictures and videos of the little girl’s badly burnt body are scary to look at. Medical personnel at ATBUTH indicated that the wounds might have been infected.

This case is yet another one in a long list of crimes committed by persons who are too engrossed in the metaphysical to bother with the precepts of modernity. The Bauchi incident is a vivid case of trial by ordeal, a crime punishable under the law. The incident is bestial and should ideally never be replicated in any human society. What makes the case more ludicrous is that it is almost impossible for Zuwaira Ibrahim to demonstrate that the young girl is a witch. The question is, what method of verification did she use? How empirical was it? Even if she could prove this obviously unverifiable claim, who appointed her as the trial judge in this matter?

When people are at a loss on the particular provinces of the physical and the supernatural, it is this manner of contradiction that comes to play. Zuwaira Ibrahim is apparently unable to delineate the boundaries of the two very consequential provinces. Because she appointed herself unto a task that modernity does not give her, she necessarily has to face the music. No one is allowed to take the law into their own hands and punish people they unilaterally consider evil or wicked. If any society allows this level of absurdity, that society is on the verge of collapse.

We plead that the medics attending to the young girl should do everything in their power to ensure that she recovers from her grievous ordeal. Her future must, as it were, be retrieved from Zuwaira Ibrahim’s flaming fire. Also, the witch-catcher should be made to face the full wrath of the law so as to serve as a deterrent to other lawless persons who might want to appoint themselves as accusers, trial judge and officers of the penitentiary in similar cases. Come to think of it, how is such grievous punishment inflicted on the young girl the cure for witchcraft? What is witchcraft and how does a witch get verified as one? How does anyone convincingly link witches with cases of evil deeds? These questions may never be clearly answered. The entire scenario points to acute ignorance and gross criminality. The suspect caged herself in the prison walls she built for her mind, and must be held accountable for her crime. Justice must be done and be seen to be done in this case.

We suggest that in communities where there is still a nostalgic connect to stone age thinking like Zuwaira Ibrahim’s, the government, especially local governments, must make serious attempts de-radicalise people’s minds from such crippling thoughts. This will go a long way in purging such people of their warped mindset and free society from the violent grip of people who lend their minds to the devil in committing such heinous crimes. Modern society cannot afford to harbour such persons.

FORMER Health Minister Professor Isaac Folorunso Adewole has been elected as the President of the Nigerian Academy of Medicine (NAMed), a body established to enhance the quality of healthcare through education.

Prof. Adewole was elected to take over from the outgoing President of the Academy, Emeritus Prof. Samuel C. Ohaegbulam, at the NAMed’s annual lecture, Induction Ceremony, and Scientific Conference in Abuja.

Adewole, in his acceptance speech, pledged to lead the Academy to greater heights and ensure that his tenure would consolidate on the achievements and successes of his predecessor.

A guest speaker, Dr Francis Ukwuije, who is a WHO health economist, while speaking on ‘Healthcare Financing in Nigeria: Are We Getting It Right?’ recommended that greater efforts needed to be made in financing healthcare to prevent catastrophic out-of-pocket expenses.

The second scientific session included a panel discussion with Dr Kelechi Ohiri, Director-General of the National Health Insurance Authority; Dr Sir Frank Odafen, a medical entrepreneur; Dr Joyce Barber, an HMO provider; Dr John A. Onyeokoro, a public health physician; and a health insurance expert as panel speakers.

The discussion focused on health insurance in Nigeria, its progress since inception, challenges, and prospects, with emphasis on the way forward.

They suggested that the Academy should intensify advocacy to redirect and expand health insurance, which currently covers only 10 per cent of the population.

Earlier, Emeritus Prof. Samuel C. Ohaegbulam, the immediate past president, said that the academy purposefully selected ‘Emerging and re-emerging diseases’ as the conference’s theme because of the rise in illnesses in the nation.

The induction ceremony had 20 new fellows, among who are eminent physicians, distinguished professors, and medical scientists who hold critical positions, such as chief medical directors of tertiary health institutions and vice-chancellors of universities.

THE Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has declared that finance remains the decisive factor in transforming Nigeria’s bold new vision for its marine and blue economy into tangible impact, stressing that without sustainable investment, the country risks leaving its vast marine resources underutilised.

Oyetola recently made this call in Lagos at the 3rd Quarter Citizens’ and Stakeholders’ Engagement of the Ministry and its agencies.

Addressing an audience of industry leaders, policymakers, investors and interest groups, the Minister described the event’s theme, ‘From Policy to Impact: Finance is Key,’ as both timely and urgent, noting that the Federal Executive Council’s approval of Nigeria’s first-ever National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy in May 2025 had created a clear roadmap for growth, but that the next critical step lay in mobilising the capital needed to achieve results.

According to him, the new policy envisions economic growth across a wide range of sectors, including shipping, fisheries and aquaculture, marine tourism, coastal infrastructure, renewable energy, and ocean research.

However, he reminded stakeholders that ‘vision without financing remains no more than a dream’. He pointed out that government alone cannot shoulder the immense responsibility of modernising Nigeria’s ports, sustaining maritime security, expanding aquaculture, or building climate-resilient infrastructure. It would take innovative partnerships, international financing mechanisms and strong private sector engagement to translate policy into measurable outcomes.

Oyetola drew attention to the Ministry’s proven record of discipline and results, recalling that in the first quarter of 2025, the Central Results Delivery Coordination Unit (CRDCU) awarded the Ministry a performance score of 96 per cent, while in 2024 the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council named it the best performing ministry in the country. These achievements, he said, demonstrate the government’s capacity to deliver, but scaling up requires unlocking far greater resources.

The Minister cited recent examples where financing has already yielded impact. Nigeria, he noted, has sustained a piracy-free record for more than three years in the Gulf of Guinea, a feat made possible through investments in the Deep Blue Project. Rehabilitation and modernisation of Lagos ports are underway, designed to attract larger vessels, cut down turnaround time, and create thousands of jobs, with similar initiatives planned across the country.

Sokoto State Government has suspended the Executive Secretary of the State Primary Health Care Development Agency (SSPHCDA), Dr Larai Aliyu Tambuwal, with immediate effect.

Her suspension was conveyed in an official letter dated October 2, 2025, signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Ibrahim Haliru Dingyadi, on behalf of the Commissioner for Health, concerning the PHC Executive Secretary role.

According to the letter, Governor Ahmed Aliyu approved the decision and directed Dr Bilyaminu Sifawa to assume office immediately as Acting Executive Secretary of the agency.

‘Dr. Bilyaminu Sifawa will take over the office with immediate effect as Acting Executive Secretary,’ the letter read in part, indicating a temporary replacement for the PHC Executive Secretary position.

Although no reason was given for Dr. Tambuwal’s suspension, the move signals a major shake-up in the leadership of the state’s primary health sector by changing the PHC Executive Secretary.

The SSPHCDA is pivotal to delivering quality primary health services, especially in rural communities across Sokoto.

Stakeholders say the leadership change could impact ongoing initiatives aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery and improving access for residents.

All does not seem well within the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, the lineage next in line to produce the Awujale of Ijebuland, as a new faction identifying itself as the ‘Original Fusengbuwa Ruling House’ has emerged.

The faction’s coordinator, Chief Fassy Yusuf, disclosed this on Thursday at the Oba Adesimbo Tunwase Museum and Hall, Agunsebi, Ijebu-Ode. He explained that the faction comprises the Jadiara Royal House, Bubiade Royal House, Tunwase Royal House, and the Fusengbuwa Royal House.

According to him, the term ‘Original’ was adopted only as a means of distinction and not to exclude other family members. He further noted that the mourning period of the late Awujale, Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona, CFR, GCON, who passed away on July 13, 2025, will officially end on Sunday, October 11, 2025-paving the way for the commencement of the succession process.

Yusuf, who is the Bagbimo of Ijebuland, read from the Declaration made under Section 4 (2) of the Chiefs Law 1957, which states that the four ruling houses entitled to present candidates are Gbelegbuwa, Anikinlaiya, Fusengbuwa, and Fidipote, with Fusengbuwa being the next in line.

He clarified that aspirants to the stool must belong to the ruling house and trace their descent through the male line, except in cases where succession devolves through the female line under the Abidagba principle.

Responding to claims by the Folagbade Adenuga group, Yusuf stressed that Folagbade is not listed as a ruling house in the declaration and therefore must align with one of the recognized branches.

The coordinator added that a family database and Expression of Interest forms for aspirants to the throne would be released in due course, noting that the forms would be free of charge. However, he said voluntary contributions of ?2,000 were encouraged to support the database exercise.

He also explained that, for now, the group is represented by himself as coordinator and Pastor Prince Bola Salami as secretary, while a formal family head will be announced later.

The event was attended by Otunba Odedina Emmanuel, Oloriebi of Jadiara; Prince Adewale Jadesinmi, Oloriebi of Bubiade; Prince Bolarinde Salami, Secretary; Chief G.A. Sanni, Balogun of Esugbon; and Oba Prof. Titilayo Hassan, Elesugbon of Esugbon, alongside other representatives of the four branches.

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Thursday, dismissed a suit filed against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu challenging the March 18, 2025 proclamation of state of emergency in Rivers state.

The declaration of the state of emergency by Tinubu led to the suspension of the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara and members of the Rivers state House of Assembly for six months as well as the appointment of a Sole Administrator who took charge of running the affairs for the period.

Delivering judgment in a suit filed by Belema Briggs and four others against the emergency rule, Justice Omotosho held that, the five plaintiffs lacked the legal power to Institute the case. The Judge held that, such case as constituted can only be determined by the Supreme Court only.

Justice Omotosho held in the judgement that, none of the five plaintiffs claimed to be members of the State Executive Committee, members of the House of Assembly or suffered any injury greater than the rest people of Rivers state.

Worse still, the court held that none of the plaintiffs claimed to have the fiat of the Attorney General of the State to initiate the case.

Besides, Justice Omotosho said that the claim of President Tinubu that he imposed state of emergency to avoid looming break down of law and order was not challenged or disputed by the plaintiffs.

The Judge held that, the claim of breach of fundamental rights by the plaintiffs by Tinubu did not hold water because the appropriate law on emergency rule order was invoked by Tinubu to save unpleasant situation.

Justice Omotosho said the case was frivolous and baseless because the mandate of other people of Rivers was not obtained before instituting it on their behalf.

Residents of Lagos and Ogun communities on Wednesday, experienced scarcity of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers, popularly known as cooking gas.

Most vendors that opened shops in some neighbourhoods jacked up the price by selling at N1,600 per kilogram instead of N1,150 per kg sold last week.

Lamenting the situation, Mrs Joke Banjo, a trader at Agege, said she was searching everywhere to refill her 12kg cylinder, but could not find any until she got to Ojodu.

According to her, most of the gas stations refused to open shops, assuming that it might be connected to the industrial action ordered by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association (PENGASSAN) and Trade Union Congress (TUC).

She said that the outlet she later discovered around Ojodu sold for most customers at N1,600 per kilogram.

Another woman, Mrs Adejoke Ibikunle, said there was a long quene for cooking gas in one of the gas stations in Ibafo despite the fact that it was sold for N1,500.

She said she managed to refill her 6kg cylinder before the station stopped selling due to long queue.

She expressed displeasure over the issue, wondering what would have happened to the supply of cooking gas.

Meanwhile, energy industry analyst, Yemisi Olagunju, has also raised the alarm that Nigeria may be on the verge of a domestic LPG supply crunch.

However, the National President of the Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALPGAM), Mr Oladapo Olatunbosun, has expressed concern over the continued export of cooking gas from Nigeria despite the Minister of Petroleum Resources (Gas) pronouncing a ban on the practice, particularly by International Oil Companies (IOCs).

Speaking during the 2025 National LPG Conference and Exhibition in Lagos, Olatunbosun insisted that the minister’s directive must be enforced to stop the outflow of LPG from Nigeria.

‘The domestic market does not have sufficient volumes of gas, so there is no justification for exporting the product out of the country by the IOCs,’ the NALPGAM president said

He said IOCs have consistently argued that they lack the facilities to separate propane from butane, a requirement for making the product more suitable for domestic use.

According to him, these companies had previously requested a timeframe to put such facilities in place, yet there has been no enforcement or monitoring by government agencies to ensure compliance.

‘Companies prefer to export these products abroad to make more money,’ he said, stressing that the practice undermines Nigeria’s domestic LPG market, which still struggles with insufficient supply.

Olatunbosun, therefore, urged the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Minister of State for Gas to compel the IOCs to establish the required infrastructure for propane-butane separation.

In a landmark development for global aviation safety, the Banjul Accord Group Accident Investigation Agency (BAGAIA) and the Interstate Aviation Committee (IAC) have signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Montreal, Canada, during the 42nd ICAO Assembly held on September 25 to October 4, 2025.

The agreement, which is the first of its kind between two Regional Accident Investigation Organizations (RAIOs), underscores a new era of international cooperation in aircraft accidents and incident investigations. It reflects the growing recognition that safety challenges transcend borders and require stronger collaboration to strengthen aviation oversight.

The landmark agreement was signed by Commissioner BAGAIA, Charles Irikefe Erhueh and his counterpart IAC Chairman, Oleg Storchevoy in Montreal, Canada, during the 42nd ICAO Assembly on September 25, 2025.

The importance of this MoU lies in its comprehensive framework for cooperation, which extends far beyond symbolic partnership. It is designed to enhance collaboration between both bodies in areas of investigation and prevention, ensuring that technical expertise and resources are no longer confined by regional boundaries. Through this arrangement, BAGAIA and IAC can exchange technical know-how, specialist equipment, and training opportunities, while also promoting joint research into accident causation and emerging technologies in aviation safety. Such collaboration creates a platform for sharing best practices and safety data, enabling both regions to reduce the risk of accidents and raise safety standards in line with ICAO provisions.

Equally significant is the agreement’s focus on capacity building. By facilitating joint workshops, regional training seminars, and mentorship opportunities for investigators, the MoU seeks to strengthen the pool of safety professionals in both Africa and Eurasia. It further enhances global networking opportunities by linking two regional agencies across continents, thereby fostering a broader web of aviation safety cooperation that includes other civil aviation authorities and organizations. The harmonization of regulations and investigative practices also forms a cornerstone of this MoU, allowing for more efficient cross-border investigations while ensuring consistency in accident reporting and analysis.

The provisions of the MoU are built on clear commitments. Both parties have agreed to collaborate in the improvement of aircraft accident investigation, prevention, and training by exchanging expertise and promoting a harmonized approach to investigations in accordance with ICAO standards. They will also provide counseling during investigations, share technical support and data analysis, and encourage the participation of investigators in each other’s training initiatives. Importantly, the agreement is guided by principles of mutual respect, confidentiality, and independent financial responsibility, with mechanisms in place for contractual arrangements, dispute resolution, and adherence to international data protection practices.

The MoU is open-ended, taking effect immediately upon signing, with provisions for amendment where necessary. Either party may terminate it with one month’s notice, provided existing obligations are honored. This flexibility ensures that the framework remains adaptable to future challenges while sustaining the spirit of cooperation.

This MoU is a historic first for RAIOs worldwide. For the first time, two regional agencies have formally committed to a partnership that cuts across continents, providing a template for future inter-regional cooperation.

By pooling expertise from Africa and Eurasia, the collaboration not only enhances investigative capacity but also accelerates the global push towards harmonized aviation safety oversight under ICAO. Industry watchers say it represents the beginning of a new chapter in international aviation cooperation, one that may inspire similar agreements between other regional safety organizations in the future.

ACCORDING to the World Health Organisation, the population of older adults is projected to almost double by 2050. It is also projected that by 2050, 80% of older persons will live in low- and middle-income countries. Nigeria currently has the highest number of older persons in Africa and the 19th globally, with the number likely to triple by 2050. These statistics highlight older adults as an important part of the population whose health should be prioritised. Despite the rising population of older persons in our society, older adults’ health, especially mental health, continues to be shrouded in ignorance, shamed and stigmatised.

In the media, we often see cases of old women being burnt to death or isolated after being accused of being witches. We also see older adults begging to survive, homeless older adults, and the elderly living alone in dilapidated houses. Many people will admit to seeing older adults struggling with their mental health, exhibiting signs of cognitive decline or psychosis, and so on.

The United Nations designated October 1st as the International Day of Older Persons in celebration of older adults and to increase awareness of the challenges and opportunities of population ageing. This year, the theme is ‘Older Persons Driving Local and Global Action: Our Aspirations, Our Well-being and Our Rights’. This theme recognises older adults as active participants in their community initiatives and global efforts. It also spotlights the importance of advocating for the aspirations, inclusion, and rights of older adults. It also reminds us of the importance of fostering the well-being of older adults.

Despite the contributions of older adults to society, they continue to face systemic challenges that negatively influence their well-being and compromise their rights. Ageism, the stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination of older adults based on their age, remains a major obstacle to older adults. Many older adults are often isolated, as they are considered too old to participate in certain activities. This isolation deprives them of social support, which is proven to be a positive predictor of mental health.

Access to adequate and quality healthcare is another pressing concern. Many older adults live with chronic illness, mobility challenges, cognitive decline, and other health concerns. Loneliness, depression, psychosis, and other mental health challenges are also common among older adults, particularly among those living alone. The current wave of ‘japa’, with many youths emigrating to other countries, frequently results in situations where aged parents have no close family members around them in old age. Furthermore, the low number of healthcare professionals in Nigeria also implies that there are few healthcare professionals skilled in providing geriatric care, thereby limiting access to healthcare for older adults.

Financial insecurity is another challenge many older adults experience. With no income, meagre or inconsistent pensions and poor health insurance, many older adults are left struggling. It is common knowledge that social protection for the elderly in Nigeria is mostly nonexistent. With increasing life expectancies and harsh economic realities, we have to address this problem.

Furthermore, elder abuse – which may be physical, emotional, or financial – remains an underreported and under-addressed crisis. According to the WHO, 1 in 6 people aged 60 years and older experience some form of abuse, a number expected to rise as populations age further.

The Well-being of Older Persons: Everyone’s Responsibility

Promoting the well-being and rights of older persons is a shared societal responsibility. From the government, families, and communities to schools, businesses, and civil society organizations, everyone has a role to play in creating environments where older persons can thrive with dignity.

The government must lead the way in implementing the National Policy on Ageing for Older Persons in Nigeria, which was ratified by the Federal Executive Council in February 2021. Government at all levels must also increase funding for health and the recruitment of healthcare professionals at all cadres.

But the role of the government alone is not enough. Civil society organisations, including elder care institutions, religious groups, and advocacy networks, are essential in raising awareness, providing services, and mobilizing public support for age-inclusive well-being initiatives. These groups can help amplify the voices of older persons and ensure they are not just beneficiaries of aid but active participants in shaping policies that affect their lives. These groups must also foster awareness and support for older adults’ health.

Perhaps most importantly, younger generations must be engaged in fostering intergenerational solidarity and communities. Through mentorship programmes, volunteer initiatives, and shared community spaces, people of all ages can build bridges of empathy, respect, and cooperation. The strength of a society is often measured by how it treats its elders, honouring their experiences, learning from their wisdom, and protecting their rights, which is a mark of true progress. Asido Foundation is leading these efforts through targeted advocacy and interventions.

As we reflect on this year’s theme, ‘Older Persons Driving Local and Global Action’, it becomes clear that the empowerment of older people is a necessity, not a luxury. Ensuring their well-being and rights today helps build the inclusive, resilient societies of tomorrow.