Category: Nigerian Tribune

The Tony Elumelu Foundation has won a prestigious award at the 60th Annual Appeal of Conscience Awards in New York.

The award recognises the Tony Elumelu Foundation’s efforts in empowering a generation of young African entrepreneurs with economic opportunities and the means to shape their own destinies.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Awele Elumelu, Co-Founder of TEF conveyed Mr. Elumelu’s gratitude and heartfelt words, highlighting his commitment to transforming lives across Africa through his philosophy of Africapitalism.

She expressed gratitude for the award, acknowledging its alignment with Tony’s values and the legacy of the Foundation and Rabbi Arthur Schneier.

In a somber moment, she honored the memory of six colleagues who recently lost their lives in a tragic incident, emphasizing the deep sense of loss felt across their community.

Dr. Elumelu spoke passionately about her husband’s commitment to uplifting lives across Africa through the philosophy of Africapitalism, which highlights the powerful role of the private sector in community well-being.

She shared Tony’s journey, marked by determination and a belief in Africa’s vast potential, noting the success of his businesses which employ over 40,000 people globally, including the United Bank for Africa in New York.

Highlighting the impact of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, she revealed that it has invested over $100 million in seed funding for more than 24,000 young African entrepreneurs, providing them with the tools to shape their futures and combat issues such as economic instability and migration.

Dr. Elumelu emphasised the ongoing need for collaboration among those who share similar values and acknowledged the importance of collective efforts in addressing global challenges.

She extended her appreciation to Cardinal Timothy Dolan for his leadership, Rabbi Schneier for his visionary work, and her friend Maurice Levy for the recognition.

Finally, she dedicated the award to the thousands of Africapitalists across the continent, as well as her family, whose unwavering support serves as a source of strength.

Dr. Elumelu however expressing gratitude for the honor and reaffirming their shared commitment to building a prosperous future for Africa and beyond.

AIRTEL Africa Plc has expressed delight over the positive impact its partnership with the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) is making in the lives of people, especially school children and teachers across Africa.

Chairman of Airtel Africa Foundation, Dr Segun Ogunsanya, stated this in Lagos at a press briefing to announce the official launch of Airtel Africa Foundation, a social arm of the company.

According to him, the Foundation’s collaboration with UNICEF, governments, local communities among others to transform lives and communities, especially that of the students and teachers across 14 countries where the company operates has been encouraging.

He noted that feedback and testimonials from direct beneficiaries has greatly encouraged the foundation to intensify efforts in transforming lives across the continent, disclosing that the collaboration has already connected more than 1,800 schools, benefitted over one million students, and trained more than 17,000 teachers in digital education across 14 countries.

Highlighting the broader mission of the Foundation for Nigeria and other countries, including Zambia, Malawi, Rwanda, Niger, DRC among others, Ogunsanya disclosed that the plan is now to directly improve the lives of no fewer than 10 million people across Africa by 2030.

According to him, the Foundation is not just donating resources, but building a pipeline of talent and fostering innovation to ensure the global digital revolution leaves no child and youths behind.

He listed four core pillars, Financial Empowerment, Education, Environmental Protection and Digital Inclusion (FEED) as initiative strategies to achieve the aims with education most priority.

Ogunsanya explained that those areas of intervention in the education sector will cover students, teachers and institutions.

According to him, the Foundation’s programmes target school adoption for infrastructure development, provision of ICT laboratories and computers, smart classrooms, free internet connectivity, full undergraduate scholarships in tech and STEM fields, mentorship and internships as well as training programmes for teachers.

He added that the Foundation would also leverage its Employee Volunteer Programme to teach students free of charge and mentor them where necessary.

Ogunsanya underscored the importance of quality education, saying that is the easier means to break circle of poverty and socio-economic inequality that many people entangled with today in Africa.

He explained further that an educated society would be financially literate and empowered to turn challenges to opportunities and in turn invest better in education of the next generation, protect the environment and also sustain good living for all.

Emphasising that though similar interventions would be extended to all the 14 countries where Airtel operates, Ogunsanya pointed out that Nigeria being the largest market for the company, would benefit most from the Foundation intervention activities.

He said the immediate plans for the country is to train no fewer than 26,000 youths, award 100 scholarships, connect 300 schools, and adopt 10 schools for long-term support, including facility renovations and smart classrooms.

Commenting on the company’s support for the Foundation, Airtel Africa’s Chief Executive Officer, Sunil Taldar, also underscored the importance of citizens accessing quality and quantitative education, saying quality education would greatly enhance socio-economic development upon which citizens and the country will thrive.

He said this understanding is the very reason the Airtel Africa Foundation was born as a collective vehicle by the company to catalyse transformation, by systematically investing in the four pillars that underpin a resilient and dynamic society.

‘That is why for us as a company, we will continue to support the Foundation in its drive to transform the lives of our people,’ he pledged.

In his earlier remarks, CEO of Airtel Nigeria, Dinesh Balsingh, also expressed happiness for the birth of the Foundation, and especially that Nigeria would be the most beneficiary of its intervention efforts across the four pillars.

He said the impact of such interventions, especially in the long run would be unquantifiable, commending the leadership of the Foundation for the initiatives.

Oyo Governor, Seyi Makinde, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to attracting more investors into the state, declaring that the recently upgraded Samuel Ladoke Akintola International Airport in Ibadan will be developed into the most welcoming airport in Nigeria.

The governor made this known on Wednesday during the Jagz Hospitality Conference held to commemorate the first anniversary of The Jagz Hotel, a leading hospitality brand in the state.

Speaking at the event, Governor Makinde described the landing of the first wide-bodied aircraft at the Ibadan airport, nearly a week earlier, as a significant achievement that rewrote the airport’s 43-year history.

He noted that the milestone is part of his administration’s broader strategy to make Oyo State more attractive to local and international investors.

‘Last Friday, the first wide-bodied aircraft landed at Ibadan Airport. That airport was commissioned in 1982, 43 years ago and this is the first time such an aircraft has landed there. Yes, it’s late, but better late than never,’ the governor said.

He revealed that following federal approval granted in May 2024, the state had extended the airport’s runway to accommodate larger aircraft, positioning it for increased international traffic.

‘We’ve been able to turn around 43 years of disappointment within a year. But we’re not stopping. We want Ibadan Airport to be more welcoming than any other airport in Nigeria. We want people from all over the world to fly into Ibadan and keep coming back,’ he added.

Makinde emphasized that sustained investment in infrastructure, such as the airport, is essential for economic expansion, and dismissed the idea that focusing solely on the local market, a concept known as import substitution, would solve Nigeria’s economic challenges.

‘There’s a theory that says if we focus on ourselves, patronize local products, and ignore the global market, we will solve our problems. But that theory is flawed. No country in the world has developed by isolating itself. Nigeria won’t be an exception,’ he stated.

The governor said his administration would continue to provide a supportive environment for businesses operating in the state, citing The Jagz Hotel as a testament to the potential of the private sector when given the right policies and support.

‘I am glad to be here one year after we commissioned this hotel. It is not only still running, but thriving, despite the economic turbulence in the country. That’s not by accident; it’s a result of hard work and teamwork by the management and staff. As a government, we will continue to support you.’

Makinde charged the hotel’s management to aspire beyond local recognition and aim to become one of the top hospitality brands in Africa.

‘Don’t be satisfied with being the best in Ibadan. Aspire to be the best in Nigeria, and even in Africa,’ he urged.

Earlier in his remarks, the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatubosun, praised Governor Makinde’s leadership for expanding the state’s economy through tourism and solid mineral development.

He called on stakeholders in the hospitality and tourism industries to continue collaborating with the government to promote Oyo State as a prime destination for visitors and investors.

‘Under this administration, we’ve seen significant growth in tourism and business. The private sector has an important role to play in sustaining this momentum,’ Olatubosun said.

The event was attended by several dignitaries, including the PDP Deputy National Chairman (South), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja; former Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Senator Monsurat Sunmonu; Chairman of the Oyo State chapter of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Hon. Sikiru Sanda; and the Ekefa Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Akinade Fijabi.

The Executive Secretary of the Kogi State Drugs and Medical Supplies Management Agency, Pharm. Ibrahim Salamat Onize, has disclosed that the agency is engaging at least 15 pharmaceutical manufacturers to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for pooled procurement through the Africa Research Center for Excellence in Supply Chain Management (ARC-ESM).

Speaking during the inauguration of the Drugs Sustainable Supply System Steering Committee, the Executive Secretary stressed that the MoU will ensure the sustainable availability of drugs and medical consumables with a 25% price reduction and assured quality for distribution to all state health facilities.

‘Plans are underway to register pharmaceutical distributors with the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) to partner with the state government. This initiative has the potential to increase local economic participation and generate revenue through pre-qualification registrations, tender payments, and BPP registration fees via KGIRS.

‘The agency also plans to equip and operationalise a functional quality control laboratory with government support. Drug testing will attract charges from manufacturers and distributors, boosting state revenue. The quality control unit will focus on ensuring the availability of high-quality drugs and consumables, thereby building trust and potentially increasing demand from government hospitals, pharmacy outlets, and private hospitals, which in turn will drive revenue generation.

‘The agency has conducted capacity assessments and sensitisation workshops with various partners, including the National Product Supply Chain Management Programme (NPSCMP), the Presidential Initiative for Unlocking Healthcare Value Chain (PVAC), Health System Chain Limited (HSCL), Engender Health, and others, to address healthcare needs. The availability of logistics and inventory tools will further enhance service delivery.’

The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abdulazeez Adams Adeiza, speaking on behalf of the Executive Governor of the state, urged committee members to uphold integrity and diligence in their roles, emphasising that their appointments represent a significant commitment to serving the people of Kogi State.

Dr. Adeiza noted that the formation of the Sustainable Supply System Steering Committee reflects Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s administration’s dedication to advancing and developing the state’s health sector. He added that the administration has made substantial investments to prioritise health in its governance agenda.

The Commissioner further explained that the Integrated Sustainable Health Supply System (ISHSS) Steering Committee is essential for strengthening the governance structure of the agency.

The committee will be chaired by the Commissioner for Health, with the Director of Pharmaceutical Services from the State Ministry of Health serving as Secretary. It will also include representatives from relevant agencies, boards, ministries, and key stakeholders.

Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, on Thursday embarked on a working visit to Diffa in the Niger Republic as part of renewed efforts to deepen security and economic cooperation across the Lake Chad basin.

The visit came against the backdrop of recent military gains in the fight against Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgents, particularly around border communities where thousands of Nigerian refugees remain in camps in neighbouring countries.

Diffa, which lies about 17 kilometres from Damasak in northern Borno, is currently home to thousands of displaced persons who fled insurgent attacks in their ancestral towns and villages.

Governor Zulum, who led a high-powered delegation, was received by his host, the Governor of Diffa Region, Brigadier General Mahamadou Ibrahim Bagadoma, alongside other senior Nigerien officials. Both leaders held a closed-door meeting that centred on strengthening joint patrols, intelligence sharing, and consolidating the fragile peace in liberated areas.

Speaking during the visit, Zulum explained that his administration was working to take advantage of the improved security atmosphere to return displaced farmers to vast and fertile farmlands around Dutchi in the Lake Chad basin. According to him, restoring farming activities remains key to the region’s recovery and food security.

On the governor’s entourage were a member of the House of Representatives, Engr. Bukar Talba, Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Abdulkarim Lawan, and other senior government officials.

Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo, has approved the full implementation of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) for health workers in the state.

According to the directive announced in a statement signed and made available to Journalists in Awka on Thursday by the State Head of Service, Dame Theodora Okwy Igwegbe, the 100 per cent salary structure takes effect immediately and applies to nurses, nurse anaesthetists, psychiatric nurses, community health technicians, dental therapists, medical laboratory technicians, radiographers, and physiotherapists.

The governor directed all relevant ministries, departments, and agencies, including the Local Government Service Commission, the Office of the Accountant General of the State, and the Accountant General for the local government system, to commence immediate enforcement of the directive.

Authorities have been instructed to circulate the notice widely and ensure full compliance across all affected establishments.

In celebration of this year’s World Cleanup Day, Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), managers of the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2), mobilised staff to the Hajj Park wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport on Friday.

World Cleanup Day, held annually on September 20, mobilizes over 200 governments, citizens, and organizations around the world to tackle the waste problem and create global awareness in their local areas. This year’s theme tagged ‘Tackling fast-growing challenges: textile and fashion waste,’ is focused on dealing with the large volume of textile and fashion waste, which contributes to pollution.

The BASL team, led by Head of Safety, Nafisat Adeniran, engaged in a cleanup exercise, donated trash bins to the park to promote proper waste disposal and environmental hygiene. Adeniran said the initiative highlights the company’s commitment to sustainability and safety beyond the airport’s premises. ‘Our mission extends beyond managing a world-class terminal; we are dedicated to fostering a cleaner and safer environment for the entire community,’ she said. ‘This is a small step, but it reinforces our belief that a collective effort can create a significant positive impact,’ she said.

Also speaking on the initiative, BASL’s Acting Chief Operating Officer stated that the event is a key part of the company’s corporate social responsibility. ‘We believe in giving back to the community,’ he said. ‘The donation of these bins is a symbol of our commitment to not just a clean airport, but a clean city. We are proud to contribute to the global effort of making our planet a healthier place,’ he noted. He added that the event aligns with the company’s broader vision.

He said: ‘At BASL, we are continuously looking for ways to set the standard, whether it’s in aviation services or environmental responsibility. Our participation in World Cleanup Day is a testament to our ongoing commitment to a sustainable future.

BASL’s Head of Corporate Communications, Ajoke Yinka-Olawuyi, said, At BASL, we view sustainability as an interconnected responsibility. Waste management plays a critical role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, including CO2, which is a key focus area for airports globally. By supporting World Cleanup Day, we are not only promoting environmental hygiene but also contributing to broader climate action goals. Every initiative, whether in reducing waste or lowering emissions, reinforces our commitment to building a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable future for aviation and the communities we serve.

WHAT is the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, and why is it still important in Nigeria?

Prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, or PMTCT, is a set of interventions aimed at preventing HIV transmission from an HIV-positive mother to her baby during pregnancy, labour, delivery, and breastfeeding. Once we understand this, the key question becomes: what exactly are we preventing? Without these interventions, a woman has up to a 45 per cent risk of transmitting HIV to her unborn child. However, the good news is that with proper intervention, this risk can be reduced to less than 2 per cent. A significant number of infections can be prevented. It’s important to note that infants who acquire HIV from their mothers have less than a 50 per cent chance of celebrating their second birthday. It’s a killer disease.

It is critically important that the government continues to prioritize PMTCT and focus on it so we can reach a point where mother-to-child transmission of HIV is no longer a public health issue. This is essential if we are to achieve an HIV-free generation by 2030. Nigeria alone contributes 22,000 new infections annually. This is alarming, making Nigeria one of the countries with the highest rates of mother-to-child HIV transmission. To be effective, PMTCT services must be made available across communities so that pregnant women can access care and achieve viral suppression. When HIV-positive pregnant women take their medication, their viral load drops significantly, and once it becomes undetectable, the risk of transmission to the unborn child is almost eliminated. As the saying goes, U = U – Undetectable equals Untransmittable.

What is CDC doing to support Nigeria’s efforts to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV, and why is this support important?

The U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has been at the forefront of efforts to prevent mother-to-child transmission in Nigeria. We provide both technical and financial support to the government to enable an effective response. Our support includes the procurement of ARVs and ensuring they are available in supported hospitals. CDC currently supports 1,204 health facilities across 18 states. Out of the 2,410 total PMTCT centres in Nigeria, CDC supports nearly 50 per cent through our implementing partners.

We offer a range of services, including HIV testing, which is the first step in prevention. We’ve also built the capacity of healthcare workers to provide ethical and safe PMTCT services to women in need. We provide essential supplies and support policy development to ensure services meet international standards. We also offer infrastructural support to health facilities, including basic tools such as weighing scales for adults and children, as well as monitoring tools to track women enrolled in the programme over time. Since women may have repeated pregnancies in the course of their reproductive years, we ensure continuity of care by tracking their progress across visits.

Is CDC’s support making a difference in closing the gaps in Nigeria’s PMTCT programme?

What challenges remain, and how can Through our partners, CDC provides extensive data management support, from field-level data collection to digital documentation. We’ve also introduced electronic platforms to transition from paper-based systems to digital records. We conduct periodic evaluations to assess impact. For example, between September 30, 2023, and October 1, 2024, we screened about 20,000 HIV-exposed infants. Only 19 tested positive, representing less than 1 per cent, compared to the 45 per cent risk without intervention. This means we averted HIV infection in nearly 9,000 infants – a clear indicator of our impact. Those give us feedback on what’s happening in the field and help us to address issues that may impede women from accessing services.

However, challenges remain. One major issue is access to services. According to the NDHS 2024, only 63 per cent of women attend ANC at least once during pregnancy. The remaining 37 per cent seek care elsewhere at traditional birth attendants or faith homes or even deliver at home or in the bush. These women significantly contribute to maternal and infant mortality over time. To address this, we’ve taken services to them in the community. One strategy is the Baby Shower Initiative, which brings HIV services to faith-based gatherings where pregnant women gather to care for their pregnancy and provide HIV services along with it.

How can communities and key stakeholders help women-especially those who are pregnant or planning to have children-access PMTCT services?

Ownership is critical, and it starts at the community level. There are key players within every community, and any public health intervention or program that lacks community context is likely to fail. Our programmes have adopted strategies that prioritise community involvement. We begin with community leaders, engaging them as advocates. They help mobilize and sensitise the community about the benefits of PMTCT and the importance of women taking ownership of their health. These leaders encourage women to attend antenatal clinics rather than deliver at home or in informal settings. Beyond leaders, we also involve local community members in designing programs that are tailored to the specific needs of each community. What is acceptable in one community may not be in another, so we ensure our training curricula and delivery programs are culturally sensitive and context specific.

Pregnant women themselves are vital members of the community and should also serve as advocates. They can share information about PMTCT with other women, whether pregnant or raising children, and guide them on where to seek help. We also identify and train community members who can serve as mobilisers and peer educators, helping women access services.

The government plays a crucial role in policy development and revision, creating an enabling environment for women to access care. In some cases, challenges like security issues or natural disasters, like the flooding in Rivers State, can hinder access. In such instances, government support has enabled us to reach affected communities, even across floodwaters, to continue service delivery.

When should pregnant women living with HIV start antiretroviral treatment, and why is early treatment important?

In the early days of HIV programmes, there were strict criteria for determining who should start medication. Today, science has shown the benefits of early initiation of treatment. This is why we now follow the ‘Test and Start’ approach: as soon as a pregnant woman tests positive for HIV, it is important she starts medication immediately, unless there is a medical contraindication. Starting treatment early helps prevent frequent illness. Without treatment, HIV weakens the immune system over time, leading to opportunistic infections and progression to AIDS.

Early treatment helps prevent complications such as tuberculosis, oral thrush, Kaposi’s sarcoma, and organ damage. It also reduces the risk of transmission to partners and babies, as it leads to viral suppression. When a person’s viral load becomes undetectable, it means the virus is still present but cannot be transmitted. This is the basis of the message: U = U – Undetectable equals Untransmittable. At the community level, early identification and treatment help stop transmission. At the individual level, it ensures people stay healthy and live longer, fuller lives.

What steps can women take to protect themselves and their babies from HIV during pregnancy and childbirth?

Women of reproductive age and especially pregnant women should get tested for HIV during every pregnancy with appropriate counselling. If a woman tests positive, then steps need to be taken; she needs to commence ART – antiretroviral therapy – immediately. Women living with HIV should discuss family planning options with their healthcare provider and partner. Unplanned pregnancies should be avoided to ensure proper care and monitoring. Pregnant women should attend antenatal clinics and avoid delivering at home or in the bush or on the farm. Regular viral load testing is essential to monitor treatment effectiveness. After delivery, babies should be brought in for early infant diagnosis to ensure timely intervention if needed.

After birth, the baby also needs to have some medications, which we call ARVs, to prevent HIV transmission. These medications are essential in ensuring the baby remains HIV-free. We take further steps to ensure the baby is protected until they reach what is called a ‘final outcome’, the point at which the baby can be officially discharged and declared HIV-negative. All 1,204 health facilities we support offer free services from start to finish.

There are specific times when medications should be taken, and it’s important for mothers to adhere to the schedule and attend hospital visits for monitoring, including viral load testing. This helps track progress and detects any issues early. If they experience any side effects-such as rashes or vomiting-they should report to the hospital immediately. Healthcare workers can help them manage these effects and stay on treatment.

What can be done to help pregnant and breastfeeding women stay in care and stick to their HIV treatment?

Healthcare workers need to be very sensitive to the needs of these women, be empathetic with their condition, and non-judgmental in their approach. Once they come into the service, they should ensure that the correct testing is done, which is free. If they are HIV-positive, they should commence medication as early as possible, and they should adhere to their medications. There are times when the medications should be taken; they should stick to it, and they should come into the hospital for monitoring by way of giving their blood for viral load monitoring so that healthcare workers can monitor their progress.

Joining a support group is also highly beneficial. These groups consist of women living with HIV who have gone through pregnancy and PMTCT. Sharing experiences helps reduce stigma, provide emotional support, and encourage consistent clinic attendance and adherence to treatment. After delivery, it’s crucial that the baby receives appropriate follow-up care. Once the baby is discharged, the mother must continue her HIV treatment for life. As of now, HIV treatment is lifelong, even after childbirth. Having a baby does not mean the mother is cured. She must return to the facility where she began treatment to continue receiving care.

Fortunately, treatment has become simpler. Instead of taking multiple pills, most patients now take a single fixed-dose combination tablet that contains three drugs. This makes adherence easier and improves quality of life. These medications are also safe and effective.

How can PMTCT services be better integrated into maternal and child health care to improve outcomes for mothers and babies?

We aim to make the programme as simple and sustainable as possible so that the government can take full ownership. On the policy side, we’ve worked to ensure that HIV services are integrated with maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) services. This means that at HIV service points, MNCH services should also be available, and at MNCH service points, HIV services should be provided.

This policy integration already exists within the government framework. Beyond policy, we ensure that healthcare workers are trained and capable of delivering integrated services. We also ensure that commodity supplies are available at all service points. A major achievement has been the integration of HIV services into the Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health Week, which takes place twice a year. During this week, mothers and children under five receive a range of healthcare services at the community level. Now, HIV testing is part of this package. As healthcare workers go into communities, they not only provide general health services but also offer HIV testing and linkage to care for those who test positive.

Our approach brings together policy, technical support, and service delivery. We are breaking down silos and building a comprehensive, community-centred system that ensures no woman or child is left behind.

The National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Samuel Anyanwu, has again overruled the National Working Committee’s (NWC) decision to dissolve the Akwa Ibom State Executive Committee of the party.

The party, through its National Publicity Secretary, Honourable Debo Ologunagba, had on Tuesday announced the dissolution of the exco and named a 31-member caretaker committee to oversee the state chapter till further notice.

The caretaker committee, according to the NWC, is chaired by Igwat Umoren.

His Deputy is Harrison Ekpo, while the Secretary of the committee is Borono Bassey.

‘The NWC calls on all leaders, critical stakeholders and teeming members of our Party in Akwa Ibom State to remain united and continue to work together for the progress of the Party’, Ologunagba had stated.

However, 24 hours after, Anyanwu addressed a letter on Wednesday to the chairman of the sacked exco, Mr Aniekan Akpan, asking him to ignore the ‘purported’ dissolution of the exco and stay put in office.

‘For the purpose of clarity, that press release (by Ologunagba) should be discountenanced because there was no formal sitting of the National Working Committee (NWC) in which such decision was taken’, the National Secretary stated.

Anyanwu, who further declared the purported dissolution as ‘null and void and of no effect’, said Ologunagba, as the National Publicity Secretary of the party, had no powers to take any actions on behalf of the NWC, except when expressly directed to do so.

‘The State Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom State stands undissolved.

‘Please, consider this letter as the rightful authority for you to continue in your duties as provided in the PDP Constitution, 2017 as amended’, he further directed the sacked chairman.

In Uyo, Akpan too has refused to comply with the directive of the NWC, describing it as ‘false’, as he remains the state chairman.

‘We have it on good authority that the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party that claimed to have dissolved the state executive council did not convene any formal meeting to take such a decision.

‘The National Secretary of the party, Samuel Anyanwu, has issued a press release and conveyed a letter to us showing that there was no such meeting and affirming that no formal NWC meeting was held to dissolve the state executives of the party in Akwa Ibom’, he told journalists.

Tribune Online reports that the scenario playing out is a repeat of what happened last week when the National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, wrote the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) notifying it of the decision of the NWC to postpone state congresses in Cross River, Plateau and Kebbi States to a new date after due consultations.

Anyanwu also immediately wrote to the INEC urging the commission to ignore Damagum’s letter because the congresses scheduled for Saturday, September 27, would be held.

The congress was indeed held in Cross River, returning Mr Venatius Ikem as the state chairman, though on Monday, September 28, the NWC disowned the congress, calling it a ‘carnival.’

Findings showed that the PDP moved to reposition the party in Akwa Ibom, following the defection of Governor Umo Eno to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), in an a bid to cut ties between him and the state exco.

But Akpan, not willing to let go and now backed by some influential party leaders in Abuja, is staying put in office.

Before now, Governor Eno, in a leaked video, had spoken of his intention to work with both the structures of the PDP and the APC in the state for the unity of the state.

‘As a matter of fact, contrary to some insinuations, I want to run both parties (APC and PDP)? Far from it. And what is wrong with being interested? We would not leave the PDP for thieves to hijack and use it against us.

‘If anybody thinks we are going to do that, they have something coming. We will lead the structure of the party (PDP) so that they can work together (with APC). So that people don’t come from outside and think that Mr Eno has moved, let me come and hijack the party. Let the structure of the party remain.

‘They have done their congresses. That’s my position,’ the governor had revealed.

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Thursday reaffirmed Lagos’s leadership role in disaster preparedness and response, but quickly called for collaboration among state agencies when confronting emergencies and national challenges.

Governor Sanwo-Olu gave this position while speaking at the first-ever National State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMA) Conference hosted in Lagos, themed: ‘Strengthening Sub-National Emergency Management for a Resilient Nigeria,’ held at Balmoral Conventional Centre, Ikeja, emphasising that no state in the country can tackle disasters in isolation.

The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Dr. Kadir Obafemi Hamzat, noted that every state in the country faces its own set of challenges, ranging from floods, fires, epidemics, industrial accidents, or the unpredictable impacts of climate change, saying these issues do not recognize borders as they put the nation’s systems, leadership, and ‘commitment to safeguarding lives and livelihoods to the test.’

The governor described the conference as a crucial step towards collaboration and forging the strong partnerships that would define the future of emergency management in the country.

‘Every State in Nigeria faces its own set of challenges, be it floods, fires, epidemics, industrial accidents, or the unpredictable impacts of climate change. These issues do not recognise borders; they put our systems, our leadership, and our commitment to safeguarding lives and livelihoods to the test.

‘This gathering marks the beginning of a new era: one where State agencies collaborate rather than operate in isolation; where knowledge is shared, lessons are learned, and every citizen, from the North to the South, can have faith in a dependable, coordinated response system,’ he stated.

Governor Sanwo-Olu outlined key investments his administration had made through the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), saying that they include: Lagos Emergency Response Rescue Unit (LRU), the LASEMA Mobile App and Call Centre Upgrade, Partnerships and Training, among others.

The governor cited real-life examples of Lagos’ preparedness, including the rapid deployment of rescue teams during flash floods in Ikorodu and Ajegunle, as well as coordinated operations that saved lives during a building collapse in Mushin, noting that the effectiveness of the reforms by the state government underscored the critical importance of being prepared, working together, and investing in emergency management.

‘We need to keep weaving disaster risk reduction into our governance at every level, embrace new technologies and innovations, and, most importantly, empower our citizens with the awareness and strategies they need to be prepared,’ he charged.

The State Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Mr. Olugbenga Oyerinde, in his welcome address, noted that the conference provided an avenue for states’ emergency management agencies to be united by a common purpose to strengthen Nigerian residents in the face of emergencies and disasters.

The commissioner described the conference as a new chapter, witnessing, for the first time, a gathering of all the States’ emergency management agencies, Federal institutions, private sector leaders, international partners, and frontline respondents ‘under one roof, united by a common purpose to strengthen Nigerian residents in the face of emergencies and disasters.’

‘Today, through this conference, we are proudly declaring a new chapter. We are the most prominent reactions to readiness and from recovery to resilience. Where, for the first time, all the States’ emergency management agencies, federal institutions, private sector leaders, international partners, and frontline respondents are gathered under one roof, united by a common purpose to strengthen Nigerian residents in the face of emergencies and disasters,’ Oyerinde said.

Also speaking, the Director-General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Zubaida Umar Abubakar, noted that the agency remained committed to working with each and every state emergency management agency to protect and tackle disasters in the country.

She assured that the agency would strengthen early warning systems, improve data, forecasting, and information management, expand grassroots capacity building, and uphold transparency and accountability in all its interventions in the communities, explaining that Lagos is a city that continues to inspire the nation as a model of resilience, innovation, and determination in emergency management.

The Guest Speaker, Dr. Leke Pitan, in his address, titled ‘From Risk to Readiness: Strengthening Disaster Preparedness at the Sub-National Level’, Pitan, recalled the purpose behind the establishment of LASEMBUS, noting that it was created to enhance emergency management with ambulances strategically stationed across key locations.

Pitan explained that these ambulances were deliberately positioned in traffic-prone areas, allowing medical teams to provide timely treatment and attend to patients before they reach the hospital.

He further highlighted that LASEMBUS operations were later integrated with other critical emergency response agencies, including the Fire Service, Police, and Traffic Management personnel, adding that the dedicated emergency line 767 was introduced, and subsequently, the National Toll-Free Emergency number 112 was adopted to further strengthen response coordination.