Category: PM News

By Reporters

Patients across public hospitals in Ondo, Osun and Ekiti States are facing severe healthcare disruptions due to staff shortages and lack of essential drugs.

Patients who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said shortages of health workers and drugs were affecting medical services in hospitals across the three states.

They appealed to their respective state government to tackle severe manpower shortages and high medication costs in order to save more lives.

Speaking with NAN, Mr Julius Adegoroye, a patient at the Ondo State Specialist Hospital, Okitipupa, noted that the hospital is facing a severe workforce crisis, rendering the patients vulnerable.

“How can few doctors and nurses be attending to lots of patients, many of the patients are in serious pains and needed attention but shortage of health workers is affecting their services,” he said.

Mrs Iyabo Akinugba, another patient, lamented that the rising cost of medications outside hospitals is a major crisis which often led to an increase in non-adherence, worsened health conditions, and in some tragic cases, fatalities.

“After attending to you, they ask you to buy drugs from pharmacies outside the hospital which is very expensive and this is really taking a toll on patients.

“This is government hospital and this is the place for common man. Although nobody prays to be sick but it’s inevitable, I appeal to government to restore this facility back to its former years for citizens to enjoy its free healthcare services,” she said.

In Osogbo, an elderly woman, Mrs Abibatu Igbalaye, who was at the maternity ward of the Osun State General Hospital, Asubiaro, to support her daughter after childbirth, though commended the hospital for providing free healthcare services, noted that patients were required to provide delivery kits and other consumables used during treatment.

A medical practitioner, Dr Ayorinde Adewale, identified the acute shortage of health professionals in the general hospitals as a major challenge in the sector.

According to him, many specialist doctors, including neurosurgeons, cardiologists, and oncologists, have left the country due to poor remuneration and conditions of service.

He warned that the remaining doctors were overworked and underpaid, adding that the trend could discourage professionals from working in public hospitals.

A patient at the Osun State University Teaching Hospital, Mrs Kabirat Alabi, said the hospital continued to improve its services and provide quality healthcare.

Alabi emphasised the need for sustained commitment to global best practices in healthcare delivery in the state.

The Public Relations Officer, Osun State University Teaching Hospital, Mrs Abimbola Idowu, stated that the hospital was performing well in healthcare delivery through improved facilities, skilled personnel, and patient-centred care.

According to her, the hospital remains committed to delivering efficient and accessible healthcare services.

Speaking in an interview with NAN, the Chief Medical Director of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC), Prof. John Okeniyi, called for improved funding to address infrastructural and operational challenges in public hospitals.

Okeniyi noted that the “Japa” syndrome and industrial disputes are affecting service delivery, appealing for increased government intervention.

Also, Dr Sam Adegboye, an Assistant Chief Medical Officer at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti, urged the government to ensure fair remuneration for health workers and called on medical directors to address corruption in the sector.

Adegboye, a Urologist, said low morale was negatively affecting productivity in hospitals while poor maintenance of diagnostic equipment often leads to breakdowns.

“Government should ensure proper remuneration, curb corruption, and guarantee that equipment is maintained by qualified personnel,” he said.

A general practitioner, Dr Bisola Alao, stated that the doctor-to-patient ratio was about 30 to one, describing the workload on medical personnel as excessive.

“Prompt salary payment is not enough; workers must receive their full benefits,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of Ekiti State Hospital Management Board, Dr Austine Ibikunle, said the state government had started the construction of three new general hospitals in Awo Ekiti, Ikogosi Ekiti and Ipao Ekiti.

Ibikunle said the construction was part of broader health sector reforms towards fortifying the state health sector with necessary equipment and personnel in meeting up with international standards.

The chairman said this covered renovation, new construction, staffing and equipment for nine general hospitals across the state.

He disclosed that the government had since embarked on massive recruitment of about 100 doctors and other categories of health workers for its general hospitals and other health centres in batches.

The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, Co-Chair, Lagos International Financial Centre (LIFC), Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, as well as the Chief Executive Officer, Moniepoint Group, Tosin Eniolorunda, have been confirmed as key speakers for the third edition of the Invest Lagos Summit scheduled to hold from Monday, June 8 to Tuesday, 9, 2026.

The summit features a lineup of sessions focused on Lagos as Africa’s Global Gateway, the Future of Technology and Innovation, Unlocking Investment, Building the Cities of the Future, Global Partnerships for Growth, Talent, Creativity and Culture, and Energy and Sustainability.

Organised by the Lagos State Government through the Ministry of Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, the summit is designed to position Lagos as Africa’s premier destination for investment, trade, innovation, infrastructure development, and economic partnerships.

The two-day summit, themed around unlocking investment opportunities and accelerating sustainable economic growth, will bring together high-level participants from across the public and private sectors to explore opportunities in technology, infrastructure, energy, manufacturing, finance, creative industries, and urban development.

Speaking ahead of the summit, the Head of the Media Subcommittee and Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Lagos State, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, explained that the summit has been carefully structured to move beyond conversations and focus on actionable outcomes that can stimulate investment inflows into Lagos State.

Omotoso explained that the summit will provide a platform to showcase the state’s ongoing investments in transportation, technology, energy, manufacturing, tourism, and urban development. It will also highlight opportunities for local and international investors.

“Invest Lagos 3.0 is more than a conference; it is a strategic platform designed to connect investors with opportunities, facilitate meaningful partnerships, and showcase Lagos as Africa’s most attractive investment destination. Through this summit, we are bringing together government leaders, global investors, development institutions, and business executives to explore opportunities that will unlock growth, create jobs, and accelerate economic development across Lagos and Nigeria,” he said.

The summit will also feature investment pitches by state governors, exhibitions by participating organisations, networking opportunities, a gala dinner, and site visits to major infrastructure and industrial projects, including the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, Lagos Free Zone, Lagos Port, and RusselSmith’s advanced manufacturing.

By Jethro Ibileke

A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, has expressed concern over what he described as the daily defections, resignations and party switching by political leaders across the country following political disagreements.

Speaking on Sunday in Benin, Edo State, Odigie-Oyegun said the frequent departure of leaders from their political parties suggests that something is fundamentally wrong with Nigeria’s political system.

The former governor questioned whether such leaders were genuinely committed to rescuing the nation and improving the lives of ordinary Nigerians. He added that it appeared the nation’s political class was afflicted by a “virus”, as its actions and behaviour did not reflect the interests of the people.

According to him, efforts should be focused on rescuing the country from economic hardship and insecurity rather than engaging in political manoeuvring.

“If they were genuinely committed to rescuing the nation, many of the developments currently taking place as we prepare for the 2027 general election would not have arisen.

“The political class is not behaving in a manner that indicates it is truly dedicated to salvaging the condition of the nation,” he said.

Odigie-Oyegun called on opposition leaders to examine their motives and determine whether they were truly committed to saving the country and bringing relief to citizens who were struggling to feed themselves.

He further urged the opposition to remain focused on addressing the challenges facing Nigerians rather than pursuing personal political interests.

However, he expressed optimism that, despite the current challenges, the opposition could wrest power from the ruling party if the system and state institutions ensured fairness.

Portugal have been handed a major boost ahead of Wednesday’s international friendly against Nigeria, with their Paris Saint-Germain quartet, Nuno Mendes, Vitinha, JoaPound o Neves and Gonaalo Ramos, now back with the national team.

The four players linked up with Roberto Martinez’s squad on Saturday, just days before Portugal face the Super Eagles at the Estadio Dr MagalhaPound es Pessoa in Leiria.

They had earlier missed Portugal’s opening training sessions after helping PSG defeat Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League final the previous weekend.

Mendes, Vitinha and Neves started the final, while Ramos was introduced late in the second half. Portuguese outlet, A Bola, reported that Friday’s session was the last training held without the PSG players, as all four rejoined the squad on Saturday.

Although they were not involved in Portugal’s friendly against Chile at the Estadio Nacional do Jamor, they are expected to be available for the Nigeria clash, depending on their fitness levels.

Portugal coach Roberto Martinez is also expected to have almost his full squad ready for the match, with JoaPound o Felix gradually returning to fitness after taking part in the opening minutes of Friday’s media-access training session.

The friendly will be only the second senior meeting between Portugal and Nigeria. Their first encounter came on November 17, 2022, in Lisbon, where Portugal hammered the Super Eagles 4-0. Bruno Fernandes scored twice, while Gonaalo Ramos and JoaPound o Mario also found the net. Nigeria missed a penalty through Emmanuel Dennis.

This time, Eric Chelle’s Super Eagles head into the game after retaining the Unity Cup in London, following wins over Zimbabwe and Jamaica. They also played out a 2-2 draw with Poland in Warsaw, a match in which they led twice.

However, striker Terem Moffi has admitted that facing Portugal will be a much tougher test.

“We had a good game against Poland, and I am happy I scored. However, I think Portugal will be a very difficult test for the Super Eagles,” Moffi said.

Portugal players have also stressed the importance of the fixture, with goalkeeper Jose Sa and defender Ruben Dias saying the game will help the team sharpen their tactical approach ahead of the World Cup.

Portugal have been drawn in the same World Cup group with DR Congo, Colombia and Uzbekistan.

Nigeria, meanwhile, will be without some key names for the encounter. Captain Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman withdrew from the squad due to the demands of a long club season, while Ola Aina was left out after missing the closing stages of his club campaign through injury.

Former South Africa coach Owen Da Gama has criticised Bafana Bafana’s World Cup preparations, accusing the team of hiding from stronger opponents instead of using tough friendlies to test themselves before the tournament.

Da Gama said South Africa’s build-up had been weakened by poor planning, travel disruptions and what he described as a worrying preference for easier matches against lower-ranked opposition.

His criticism followed Bafana Bafana’s friendly schedule, which included matches against Panama and Nicaragua, with Nicaragua ranked 131st in the world.

“I’m deeply disappointed — not just with the Nicaragua game, but with the whole approach. We played a team ranked 131st in the world, at home. That’s terrible preparation,” Da Gama told KickOff.

“Panama, then Nicaragua — it’s very poor. I think we’re more concerned with keeping an unbeaten record than actually testing ourselves.”

South Africa’s preparations also suffered a setback on 31 May 2026, when a scheduled charter flight to Mexico was abruptly cancelled, throwing the team’s travel plans into confusion.

The South African Football Association has also reportedly struggled to secure friendlies against higher-ranked teams, further raising concerns about the quality of Bafana’s final preparations.

Da Gama said a World Cup-bound team must be willing to face stronger opposition, even if it risks defeat.

He recalled his experience with South Africa’s Under-23 team before the Olympics, saying difficult matches against stronger teams helped prepare the players for the main competition.

“We played Brazil away and lost, Japan away and lost. But by the time we got to the Olympics, we were ready — we drew with Brazil with ten men. You need that kind of preparation for a World Cup,” he said.

The former coach suggested that fear, not only money, could be behind South Africa’s failure to arrange tougher fixtures.

“I think we’re scared of playing bigger countries. I don’t know if it’s about money — I understand Brazil wanted R5 million, and the government should help. But we can’t hide,” he said.

Da Gama said he would continue to support Bafana Bafana, but warned that the team’s current preparation does not inspire confidence.

“I’ll always support Bafana 100%, but I don’t see a light at the end of the tunnel. Honestly, our preparation has been very, very poor,” he added.

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, South-West Zone D, is planning protests for Monday 8 over the suspension of some students of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, in Oyo State.

The students had been accused of involvement in a protest against the relocation of the Anatomy and Physiology Departments from the College of Health Sciences to the Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences.

This was contained in a statement jointly signed by the association’s Public Relations Officer, Olugbemi Timothy; the General Secretary, Ojetola Babatunde; and the Coordinator, Adeyemo Josiah, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

According to NANS, it is unfair that students who raised legitimate concerns over a policy that directly affects their academic welfare are being subjected to punitive measures rather than constructive engagement.

It lamented that rather than addressing the underlying concerns that led to the protest, the institution has chosen a path that appears punitive and capable of intimidating students from expressing genuine grievances.

The association, therefore, vowed to occupy the institution’s premises tomorrow, Monday, June 8, 2026, for a peaceful protest over the suspension.

“We received with deep concern the suspension letters issued to several students of LAUTECH, Ogbomoso, over their alleged involvement in a peaceful protest concerning the relocation of the Anatomy and Physiology Departments from the College of Health Sciences to the Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences.

“While NANS does not encourage the breakdown of law and order, we find it troubling that students who raised legitimate concerns over a policy that directly affects their academic welfare are being subjected to punitive measures rather than constructive engagement.

“Information available to us indicates that the affected students protested the abrupt implementation of a relocation directive which carries significant implications for their academic activities, transportation, finances, and overall welfare.

“At the time of the protest, representatives of NANS South-West, acting on our directive, engaged the students and management stakeholders in efforts to promote dialogue and de-escalate tensions.

“It is therefore disappointing that rather than addressing the underlying concerns that led to the protest, the institution has chosen a path that appears punitive and capable of intimidating students from expressing genuine grievances.

“NANS South-West is equally concerned that this development is occurring against the backdrop of the prolonged suspension of the Students’ Union Government in LAUTECH,” NANS said.

The 1,600 Lagos pilgrims who participated in the recently concluded 2026 Hajj exercise in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will begin the homebound journey on Monday, June 8, 2026.

This is according to the Amir-ul-Hajj and Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ibrahim Layode, in a statement released by the Board Secretary of the Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Mr. AbdulHakeem Ajomagberin.

According to the statement, the pilgrims will be airlifted in line with the schedule released by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON). Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the first flight departs on June 8, followed by additional flights on Wednesday, June 10; Thursday, June 11; Friday, June 12; and the final flight on Saturday, June 13.

While wishing the pilgrims a safe trip, Layode urged them to adhere strictly to the approved luggage allowance — two 23 kg bags and one 8 kg hand luggage — and to avoid packing water or other prohibited items. He also appealed for patience and compliance with officials’ instructions, assuring that everyone would be airlifted home.

Layode expressed appreciation to Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu and Deputy Governor Dr. Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat for their encouragement and support, saying it was a major factor in the state’s successful Hajj operation.

He also commended the Special Adviser to the Governor on Islamic Matters and Chairman of the 2026 Hajj Ad-hoc Committee, Dr. Ahmad Abdullahi Jebe; members of the committee; the Board Secretary and staff of the Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board; and other stakeholders, including Ulamah and Hajj Guides, for their commitment and contributions to the exercise.

The Federal High Court in Lagos has declared unlawful the National Assembly’s controversial N110 billion expenditure on vehicles and allowances for lawmakers, ruling that the spending violated procurement regulations, constitutional provisions and principles of public accountability.

In a landmark judgment delivered on May 6, 2026, Justice Yellim Bogoro held that the allocation of N40 billion for the procurement of 465 vehicles for lawmakers and N70 billion in support allowances for newly elected members amounted to a breach of statutory procurement standards and public trust.

The court further directed Senate President, Mr. Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Tajudeen Abbas, to ensure that all future procurement processes and public expenditures undertaken by the National Assembly strictly adhere to due process, transparency, accountability and value-for-money principles.

The judgment followed a suit filed in August 2023 by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), which challenged the National Assembly’s decision to spend N110 billion on vehicles and allowances amid widespread economic hardship across the country.

Justice Bogoro ruled that the scale of the expenditure, coupled with the absence of evidence demonstrating compliance with procurement procedures, rendered the spending arbitrary and disproportionate.

She noted that lawmakers were both the beneficiaries and approvers of the expenditure, describing the arrangement as a clear case of self-dealing and conflict of interest.

The judge observed that, given Nigeria’s prevailing economic realities and widespread hardship, allocating N110 billion for lawmakers’ benefit reflected a failure to prioritise national interest.

She stressed that the doctrine of separation of powers could not be invoked to shield unlawful conduct from judicial scrutiny, particularly where constitutional and statutory provisions were allegedly breached.

According to the court, the allocation undermined the fiduciary duty public officials owe Nigerians and was inconsistent with the constitutional oath of office.

Justice Bogoro emphasised that public office must never be used for personal enrichment and that holders of public office are obligated to act in good faith and within constitutional limits.

The court also dismissed objections raised by the defendants regarding SERAP’s legal standing, the alleged failure to issue a pre-action notice and claims that the matter had become academic because the funds had already been spent.

The judge held that public-interest organisations such as SERAP have the right to institute actions aimed at protecting public interest and promoting accountability.

Justice Bogoro further ruled that the National Assembly failed to provide credible evidence demonstrating compliance with procurement procedures, competitive bidding requirements or value-for-money assessments.

Consequently, she held that the expenditure violated Section 57(4) of the Public Procurement Act 2007, the Code of Conduct for Public Officers and constitutional provisions governing the conduct of public officials.

Welcoming the judgment, SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, described the ruling as a significant victory for transparency, accountability and responsible management of public resources.

He said the decision reaffirmed the principle that public funds must be expended strictly in the public interest and in accordance with constitutional and statutory requirements.

Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, also hailed the judgment, saying it underscored the need for public officials to avoid extravagant spending while millions of Nigerians grapple with poverty.

He urged the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission to enforce constitutional provisions regulating the salaries and allowances of National Assembly members and called on lawmakers to comply with the court’s decision without delay.

Following the judgment, SERAP wrote to Akpabio and Abbas, urging the National Assembly to immediately implement the court’s orders and demonstrate commitment to the rule of law, transparency and accountability in the management of public resources.

Among the reliefs granted, the court declared that the proposed N40 billion expenditure on 465 bulletproof vehicles and the N70 billion support allowance for lawmakers contravened the Public Procurement Act, the Code of Conduct for Public Officers and the constitutional oath of office.

The court also ordered the National Assembly to ensure that future expenditures of public funds are guided by due process, transparency, accountability and value for money.

Veteran Nollywood actress Shaffy Bello has advised young women against equating sexiness with revealing their bodies, stressing the importance of self-worth, growth, and making choices beyond survival.

Bello made the remarks during an interview on The Morayo Show, hosted by Morayo Afolabi-Brown, which has since gone viral on social media. The full interview was the show’s official YouTube channel on May 21, with clips later circulating widely across X and other platforms.

Addressing the pressures faced by young women, Bello said they do not need to chase online attention or expose their bodies to be seen as attractive or successful.

“There are too many young girls out there who need to hear that the seeds they sow matter,” Bello said. “They need to hear, ‘No, you don’t have to show your boobs to be sexy.’ They need to hear, ‘No, you don’t have to shake your bum bum to go viral or get attention.'”

She also spoke about transactional relationships, acknowledging that some women engage in them out of necessity. “If what you’re doing now is being a runs girl to make money, you don’t have to stay there. I understand it. I’m not knocking you. I never judge,” she said.

Bello highlighted that financial pressures, such as supporting family members or paying school fees, often push women into such decisions. “Some girls are doing it because they need to feed mum, they need to send their aburo to school. I understand it. However, my darlings, don’t stay there. You are more than that,” she added.

Reflecting on her career, Bello emphasized her focus on acting, which she considers her calling. “I’m an actor. Every actor doesn’t have to be a producer. I face my lane. I do what God asked me to do,” she said. She also pointed out that while some industry players diversify into production for financial gain, she prioritizes purpose over profit. “If I sit and go do films, I’m looking for more money. No, money is not everything,” Bello concluded.

The rising prices of cooking gas have forced many households and businesses in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to embrace traditional fuels such as charcoal and firewood.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that cooking gas prices in the FCT have risen sharply within the last months, moving from about N1,200 per kg to N2,000 per kg.

Industry operators have attributed the increase to supply shortages, higher depot costs, foreign exchange pressures, and rising transportation expenses.

Consumers and vendors of this essential commodity, who spoke to NAN said the rising costs have forced many households and businesses to seek cheaper cooking alternatives.

Mrs Mayo Akinpelu, a food vendor in Gwarimpa, Abuja, said she stopped using cooking gas after repeated price increases made it too expensive for her business.

According to Akinpelu, she switched to firewood and charcoal because they are cheaper and easier to purchase in small quantities.

“Refilling my gas cylinder became difficult because the price kept rising. I could no longer afford it and still make reasonable profit. Right now, 12.5kg of LPG goes for N25,000.

“Firewood and charcoal are not as convenient as gas, but they help me reduce costs and keep my business running,” she said.

She added that, although, customers sometimes complain about delays, the alternative fuels have become her only practical option amid rising gas prices.

Another food vendor in Dutse, Bwari Area Council, Ms Victory Samson, said the increase has significantly reduced her profit margin and affected her business operations.

“It has affected a lot; my profit margin has reduced. The government should help and bring the price back to normal,” Samson said.

In Kubwa, a business owner, Mrs Grace Oluwatimilehin, said she was shocked by the latest increase after recently buying gas at a lower rate.

“I filled my cylinder at N1,600 per kg the last time, but when I went back yesterday, the price had risen to N2,000 per kg.

“I now use electric hot plates for cooking and sometimes rely on charcoal and firewood instead of gas,” she said.

Mrs Abike Ojo, a mother of one, said the continuous rise in gas prices is placing severe pressure on her household budget.

“The last time I bought gas, it was N1,500 per kg, but my most recent purchase cost N2,000.

“If prices keep rising, I may stop using gas entirely because it has become too expensive,” she said.

She appealed to the government to intervene, warning that the rising cost of gas could further increase household expenses.

Reacting, a gas vendor in Kubwa, Mr Bamishile Bolanle, confirmed that gas currently sells for N2,000 per kilogram.

“The increase has affected business because people’s purchasing power has dropped significantly.

“From what we observe, the major issue is product scarcity, although we do not know the exact cause,” Bolanle said.

Another gas vendor in Dei Dei, Mr Alfred Orshio, said the price increase has resulted in a noticeable decline in customer patronage.

“Earlier this year, we sold gas for N1,200 per kg. It later rose to N1,400, then N1,800, and now N2,000.

“I cannot blame customers for buying less. Filling a 12kg cylinder now costs about N25,000,” Orshio said.

A charcoal distributor in Kubwa, Mrs Amina Yakubu, said demand for charcoal has increased as more people switch from gas.

“Patronage has increased recently, and I believe it is because of the rising cost of cooking gas.

“I buy a bag of charcoal for N6,500 and sell it to my customers for N8,000,” Yakubu said.

Another charcoal vendor, Mrs Saratu Ibrahim, also confirmed growing demand, saying her stock now sells much faster than before.

“Business is moving very fast. What used to take more than a week to sell now takes just two days.

“However, many people have joined the charcoal business.

“I was the first seller on this street, but there are now more than five charcoal vendors here,” she said.

Mr Taninu Ibrahim, a firewood seller, also said that demand has increased significantly as more households and food vendors abandon cooking gas for cheaper alternatives.

Ibrahim said the surge in demand has also pushed up firewood prices in recent months.

“More people now buy firewood because cooking gas has become too expensive for many families and small businesses.

“Before now, customers got six pieces of firewood for N1,000. Today, the same amount buys only four pieces,” he said.

He attributed the increase to rising demand and transportation costs, adding that patronage remains strong despite the higher prices.

As cooking gas prices continue to rise, residents and business owners are increasingly adopting alternative cooking methods, raising concerns about affordability and the growing cost of living in the FCT.

Stakeholders urged government intervention to stabilise prices, while vendors warned that persistent scarcity and weak consumer purchasing power could further reduce gas consumption and business activities.