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A non-governmental organisation aimed at cutting maternal mortality and improving reproductive health care, Maternal and Reproductive Health (MRH) Collective, has called on government, stakeholders, and institutions to intensify efforts in implementing formal maternal care among pregnant women and girls.

MRHC made this call at its Iyaloju initiative dissemination meeting on Monday, held at Sojourner by Genesis Hotel, Oba Akinjobi Way, Ikeja, Lagos.

The meeting was held to analyse the progress of the Iyaloju project, an initiative aimed at improving the use of primary health care for maternal services in Nigeria, where pregnant women lack access to skilled care.

The hall was full às government officials and community stakeholders, and civil society organisations strategising on the way forward.

Those who directed the event were Ðr. Olajumoke Oke, Mrs. Funmi Owosho, Dr. Chiamaka Uwalakà, and Ms Fehintoluwa Aluko.

Also àt the event were Mr. Uçhe Azubuike, Ms Damilolà Busari, Mr. Sodiq Owolabi, ànd Ms Mariàm Oladejo.

Mrs. Funmi Owosho moderated the panel session. Other panelists were Dr Iwayemi, Baale Àmusu Sunday, Mrs. Otiwa Christiana, Dr. Otakpor Uzoyieçhine, Felix Omomobi Oluwole, Dr. Àsiyànbi, ànd Mrs Sanni Afolabi.

With a power-point presentation, the initiative focused on improving the utilsation of skilled health maternal services (primary health care facilities) among vulnerable women and low-income urban women in Lagos State using strategies such as Emergency Obstetric Care training for Doctors and Nurses, Respectful Maternity Care Training for healthcare workers from all cadre, Data audit trainings for Health Information Managers, Community outreaches in communities and participatory forums. This project was implemented across 18 LGAs in Lagos State except for Alimosho and Ikorodu LGAs.

The programme seeks to ensure more women receive the quality care they need during pregnancy and childbirth.

Executive Director of MRHC, Dr. Olajumoke Oke, said that the forum was held to analyse findings, get feedback and insights from stakeholders of the Iyaloju initiative since it began.

She said that the forum was an avenue ‘to discuss and come up with recommendations that will significantly impact maternal health outcomes positively in the state.’

Oke said, ‘As policy makers, leaders and community influencers, your feedback is invaluable. So we are not just here to share our data, we are also here for your feedback, your insights, so that together, we can create a lasting impact on the state. We couldn’t have done any of what we have achieved in these three years alone.

‘That is why we call together all the stakeholders that have helped us to make it happen, from the Ministry of Health and Primary Health Care board who helped us and guided us from the inception, from the design phase down to the implementation stages and the end line, and the primary health care board especially, which played a crucial role in coordinating our activities within the health care facilities.

‘We can’t go on without mentioning also the community influencers who are the stakeholders that helped us to step down and explain our activities to the women that we serve and our media partners present today. We thank you once again, because without you, we might not be able to spread the word to the ends of the nation.’

During the meeting, MRHC discussed its research findings from when it began the Iyaloju Project, comparing baseline and endline data of facility and community evaluation. According to the organisation, a cross-sectional study was carried out among women aged 15 to 49 in 10 local governments in Lagos State based on the population size and low incomes.

MRHC revealed, ‘We used mixed methodology for our result findings, a cross-sectional study among women of reproductive age who have had at least one child or are currently pregnant at the time of data collection. The sampling procedure was a multi-stage one where we selected 10 LGAs based on those that had high population size and low-income communities, and within those LGAs, we identified purposes. We selected households by simple random sampling, then we recruited and interviewed respondents who consented to participate in the research study.

‘For the data collection procedure, the study population focused on women of reproductive age between the ages of 15 to 49 years. The data collection period for baseline was between the 12th of June and to 7th of August. 2023, and the endline was from the 3rd of March to the 9th of May 2025. The instrument used was a structured questionnaire where we asked questions on social demographic characteristics of the respondent, their reproductive history, and care-seeking behaviour during the most recent pregnancy, the place of delivery, and satisfaction with care received at the facility where they delivered. The total number of respondents surveyed in the community for baseline was 3651, and for end line, it was 3509. For the facility survey, the total number of respondents was 927 for baseline, and 963 for end line.’

From its findings, it stated that there was an increase in the perception of respondents in seeking formal maternal care at health centres, with deliveries from traditional birth attendants declining from 30.1% in 2023 to 24.6% in 2025, while deliveries in public and private hospitals rose from 39.1% to 40.7% and 30.8% to 34.7% respectively.

The organisation cited affordability as the main issue causing women to make use of traditional birth attendants, and also revealed that some women had no form of health insurance.

MRHC stated that changing health worker behaviour and community norms was a long-term initiative, adding that there was a need to sustain social behavioural interventions, to enable the norms to be integrated into the community and be institutionalized.

‘It’s very key for development, to invest in community engagement and health worker mentoring to ensure women feel comfortable with the formal health care system. Then there’s an urgent need to increase awareness around health insurance, especially for pregnant women and women in the communities generally. I think that the government should be able to lead this charge while we can support as much as we can.

‘We also recommend a strengthening of the accountability systems at the facilities, largely to evaluate the quality of care. What kind of care is being given? How are health workers interfacing with clients? Things of that nature should be evaluated, and there should be some form of accountability in the system. And in that way, we’ll see, and we’ll begin to record even better, respectful maternity care in the facilities’.

Giving an overview of the project, Chief Operating Officer of MRHC, Mrs. Funmi Owosho, said that the organisation aimed to create the opportunity for every African woman and girl to access information, resources, and quality health care that she needed to live a healthy and prosperous life.

Owosho said, ‘Our work at MRHC is anchored on three strategic pillars. We have the research arm, the programmes, and the advocacy arm. For research, we conduct rigorous studies to uncover the root causes of maternal mortality in Nigeria and across Africa. This includes examining barriers to accessing healthcare and assessing healthcare delays in emergencies. These insights guide the design of impactful interventions. Our research portfolio covers evaluations and feasibility studies, health system mapping, implementation, and participatory research, as well as clinical trials.

‘Currently, we have research projects being carried out across Nigeria, across Lagos, Kano, Kaduna, and Gombe. Our programmes are community-focused, and these community-based interventions are designed to reach and support the most vulnerable women. And we’re currently implementing three flagship initiatives. First is the Iyaloju initiative, which is why we’re here today. And one major objective of the Iyaloju initiative is to generate demand for maternal healthcare by engaging communities to shift norms and increase health-seeking behaviour.’

Advocacy and Stakeholder Engagement Manager of the MRHC, Dr Chiamaka Uwalaka, reiterated that the policy stakeholders meeting would ‘share insights from our intervention activities and research activities to policy makers, so that with the information we give to them, they can use it to also influence decision making.’

Uwalaka said, ‘We had this meeting in 2023 and in 2024 as well, and this is a policymakers meeting as well, but we brought up different other stakeholders to be part of it, because this is the closeout ceremony of the project’.

Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Health, Dr. Oluwakemi Ogunyemi, acknowledged everyone present at the event, stating that the organisation had achieved a lot through the Iyaloju initiative.

She stated that no individual organisation could achieve milestones alone, hence the need for stakeholders, community leaders, and civil society members to always work together.

Ogunyemi also emphasised the commitment of her office in promoting policies that prioritise the well-being of women and children in the community.

The crisis in the Ondo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has escalated with the resignation of the party’s Director of Media and Publicity, Leye Igbabo.

Igbabo’s exit came just 72 hours after the state congress that produced Hon. Dupe Aisida as the new chairman alongside other executive members in Akure.

In his resignation letter dated September 30, 2025, and addressed to the state chairman, Igbabo cited a hostile atmosphere at the PDP secretariat, which he said hindered him from discharging his duties effectively.

He also alleged deceit, compromise, and indiscipline within the party leadership, describing the environment as unconducive to productive work.

‘It is disheartening to know that the Secretariat has become hostile to the effective and efficient performance of my duties as the Director of Media and Publicity.

‘I note with pain, utter deceit, huge compromise, and gross indiscipline. There is no more sincerity of purpose, and under such circumstances, I do not want to be labelled as an incompetent official. Staying in such an unproductive environment amounts to a precious waste of time and energy.

‘I therefore resign my appointment as the Director of Media and Publicity, PDP Ondo State, with immediate effect,’ the letter read in part.

Igbabo took over the position in April 2025 following the resignation of Mr. Kennedy Peretie.

Peretie, in his own resignation letter, had declared that the PDP in Ondo State had moved from ‘the intensive care unit to the morgue,’ alleging that the party leaders had no genuine intention to win elections but were only concerned with trading the party’s platform every election year.

The back-to-back resignations of the party’s spokespersons have highlighted the deepening cracks within the opposition PDP in the state, raising concerns over its preparedness for future elections.

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has expressed sadness over the death of ARISE Television News anchor, Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu, who was reportedly killed during an armed robbery attack at her residence in Katampe, Abuja.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, the governor described the 29-year-old broadcaster, fondly known as ‘Sommie’ by colleagues, as a rising star in the Nigerian media industry who carried out her duties with passion and professionalism.

‘On behalf of the government and the people of Lagos State, we commiserate with ARISE News over the death of one of its news anchors, Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu, who was reportedly killed during an armed robbery attack in her house at Abuja,’ Sanwo-Olu said.

He added, ‘Somtochukwu Maduagwu was a diligent and thoroughbred professional. Her death was a big shock considering the way she was killed, but we take solace in the Almighty God that she lived a fulfilled life and made positive impacts in the media industry.’

Sanwo-Olu also extended his condolences to the deceased’s family, friends, colleagues, and the management of ARISE News, especially its Chairman, Mr. Nduka Obaigbena.

‘She will be greatly missed by her family, friends, associates and colleagues and the entire management and staff of ARISE News. I pray that God will comfort everyone that was close to her and grant her eternal rest. My prayers and thoughts are with her immediate family and the Chairman of ARISE TV, Mr. Nduka Obaigbena. May God grant them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss,’ the governor said.

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has urged the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) to prioritize national interest in its dispute with the Dangote Group, warning that any strike at this sensitive time would damage Nigeria’s fragile economic recovery.

Umahi made the appeal on Monday during an inspection of Sections I and II of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway in Lagos, according to a statement by his media aide, Uchenna Orji, stressing that any industrial action would derail the progress the nation is beginning to record.

He also used the occasion to dismiss as ‘fraudulent’ a claim by Stella Okengwu, Chief Executive Officer of Winhome, who alleged she invested $250 million in a parcel of land affected by the highway construction.

The Minister described her allegations as a scam and warned that she risks being invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) if she fails to provide evidence of the investment within seven days.

According to Umahi, Okengwu must show proof that she purchased the land in 2022 for ?50 million and obtained development approval, let alone committing $250 million to it.

‘Where is the money? If it was not invested in a rickety gate on the land, then she should declare where it went,’ he said, adding that the Lagos State Government had already revoked the property to make way for the Federal project and offered her monetary compensation.

The Minister further urged her to account for the funds she claimed to have raised from diaspora investors or submit herself for investigation by anti-graft agencies.

Civil society groups that initially supported her protests have since withdrawn, describing her claims as unfounded and misleading.

Umahi explained that his inspection tour was part of a periodic performance evaluation of ongoing federal road projects across the country and to verify additional works being executed by the project’s contractor, Hitech Construction Company Limited.

The entourage included Segun Sowunmi, public affairs analyst and former Atiku presidential campaign spokesperson; the Surveyor-General of the Federation, Adeyemi Adebomehin; senior directors of the Federal Ministry of Works; and representatives of civil society organizations.

Umahi said the presence of figures across party lines and civil society groups was deliberate, providing independent voices to assess the project’s quality and pace.

He commended Hitech Construction for its commitment to national development, noting that the firm is constructing what will become Nigeria’s largest flyovers to connect Sections I and II of the highway.

He dismissed social media reports portraying the unprotected shoulders of the highway as signs of failure, describing them as ignorance or mischief by those unfamiliar with phased engineering processes.

He urged Nigerians to disregard such uninformed and mischievous social media activists, while assuring that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is a transformational project that will not be derailed by distractions, but will stand as a backbone for national development.

Sowunmi, who also spoke after the tour, praised the project as a masterpiece and lauded President Bola Tinubu’s infrastructure vision under the Renewed Hope agenda.

He urged Nigerians to rise above partisan politics and support projects that secure the nation’s future.

Colleagues of late ARISE News correspondent, Somtochukwu Maduagwu, have expressed outrage over reports that the 29-year-old journalist was denied medical care after sustaining injuries during a robbery at her Abuja residence on Monday.

During Tuesday’s edition of The Morning Show, anchors Ojy Okpe and Reuben Abati described her death as tragic and preventable, highlighting both the dangers journalists face and the gaps in Nigeria’s healthcare system.

Okpe recounted that Maduagwu had jumped from her home to escape 14 armed robbers and survived the fall, but later died after allegedly being refused treatment at a General Hospital in Abuja.

‘She jumped down from her home when she heard that 14 armed robbers had come to her house. She did not die on the spot.

‘She was taken to the hospital, but she was rejected. This really is a tragic, tragic incident. Sommie’s life could have been saved, but the hospital refused to treat her,’ Okpe said.

The hospital staff reportedly demanded identification documents before attending to her, which led to a delay in treatment.

The alleged denial of medical attention has sparked outrage among her colleagues, who describe it as a preventable death.

Dr. Abati condemned the hospital’s conduct, stating that it was a violation of medical ethics and the law, which requires immediate treatment for accident victims.

Abati said, ‘This is an issue of the law in Nigeria. Anybody who is a victim of an accident. should be treated immediately.

‘But those who were taken to the hospital were refused treatment because staff were looking for identification. It is the duty of doctors and nurses to stay faithful to their oath, which is to save lives.’

He added, ‘I hope the hospital is properly identified, and sanctions where appropriate are applied to those on duty. Lives could have been saved.’

Abati also reflected on the risks faced by journalists, describing the profession as one that ‘can lead to a pathway of death.’

‘This job that we do is a very dangerous one. Unfortunately, a young woman has fallen,’ he said.

Maduagwu’s death has sent shockwaves through the journalism community, with many paying tribute to her courage and professionalism.

Her final post on X in August, where she prayed that Nigeria’s challenges would not affect her or her loved ones, has resurfaced, adding to the emotional impact of her passing.

‘I pray from the depth of my heart that Nigeria never happens to me or anyone I care about’, she had written.

The FCT Police Command has launched an investigation into the incident, and there are calls for justice and accountability for those responsible.

First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Ms. Somtochukwu ‘Sommie’ Maduagwu, a young news anchor with Arise News Television, describing her passing as painful and untimely.

Reacting in a post on her verified X handle, @SenRemiTinubu, on Tuesday, the First Lady said she was saddened by the tragic loss of ‘one of our young and brilliant minds in the journalism profession,’ noting that the late broadcaster was cut down in her prime.

‘Her death is painful and quite unfortunate. She has been cut down in her prime. I condole with the Chairman of Arise News Media, Chief Nduka Obaigbena, her family, friends, colleagues, and loved ones. It is my hope and prayer that the perpetrators will be apprehended as soon as possible and brought to book,’ Mrs. Tinubu wrote.

The First Lady prayed for the repose of Maduagwu’s soul and urged God to grant her family and associates the strength to bear the ‘irreplaceable loss.’

Maduagwu was reportedly killed in her Katampe, Abuja, residence during a robbery attack, a development that has sparked widespread outrage and grief across Nigeria’s media community.

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) on Tuesday sustained the shutdown of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).

The association commenced the industrial actions on Monday because Dangote Refinery laid off over 800 workers for unionizing.

Recall that PENGASSAN President Comrade Festus Osifo on Sunday confirmed on Channels TV that the association had cut gas supply to Dangote Refinery and Fertilizer plant.

The Nation monitored the situation on Monday to discover that the protesting PENGASSAN unionists remained at the entrances of the NNPCL, NUPRC, and NMDPRA despite a court order that barred the association from cutting gas supply to the refinery.

Senator Ede Dafinone (Delta Central) has congratulated Sir Victor Akpoguma, Principal Partner of the law firm V.E. Akpoguma and Co., on what he described as his well-deserved conferment of the prestigious title of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

In his statement, Dafinone noted Akpoguma’s elevation is a recognition of his over three decades of meritorious service to the legal profession and society at large.

‘Sir Victor has demonstrated uncommon brilliance, integrity, and resilience in the practice of law since establishing V.E. Akpoguma and Co. in 1999. His elevation as SAN is not only a personal triumph but also a source of pride to the Urhobo Nation and Delta State,’ the Senator remarked.

Describing him as an illustrious son of Agbarho in Ughelli North Local Government Area, Senator Dafinone emphasized that Akpoguma’s professional journey reflects the virtues of hard work, excellence, and commitment to justice. He added that Akpoguma’s recognition brings honour not only to his family and community but also to the entire Urhobo Nation.

‘On behalf of the good people of Delta Central, I congratulate Sir Victor Akpoguma SAN on this outstanding achievement. May this milestone inspire the next generation of legal practitioners to strive for excellence, and may God grant him continued wisdom, strength, and success in his service to the nation and humanity,’ Dafinone stated.

Leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement in Gobirawa Ward, Dala Local Government Area of Kano State, Alh. Amadu Danfulani, on Tuesday joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Gobirawa is the largest ward in Nigeria, with the highest number of polling units in the country, it was learnt.

Alh. Danfulani said he was disappointed in the Kwankwasiyya Political Movement and its leader, Sen. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

He added that he and thousands of his followers were not happy with the anti-people’s policies and programmes of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) that rules the state.

Danfulani’s defection ceremony was held at the Kano State APC Headquarters, located along Hotoro-Maiduguri Road.

State Chairman of the party, Abdullahi Abbas, who was represented by the APC Zonal Chairman, Kano Central, Alh Shehu Aliyu Ungoggo, and the Managing Director (MD) of Hadejia Jama’are River Basin Development Authority (HJRBDA), Rabiu Suleiman Bichi, ‘baptized’ the decampees, while receiving them.

Kano State Youths Leader who doubles as the Northwest Zonal Youths Leader, Alh. Labaran Kura, was also present to welcome the decampee and the youth accompanying him.

APC Chairman of Dala Local Government, Alh Munir Haruna, was also present to welcome Danfulani, after he was received by the Gobirawa Ward Chairman of APC.

Speaking at the occasion, Abbas, who was represented by Alh. Ungoggo, stated that the party’s doors were open to welcome members from all opposition parties willing to join the APC, provided they follow the party’s procedure, rules and regulations.

He disclosed that even the Leader of Kwankwasiyya and NNPP (Kwankwaso) was free to return to APC, if he follows the party’s due process and obeys the party’s laws, constitution and principles.

He explained that ‘Gobirawa, being the largest ward in the state and Nigeria, with the highest number of polling units, the decamping of Danfulani and thousands of NNPP members to APC is a plus for the ruling party ahead of the 2027 general election.’

Alh. Amadu Danfulani said he was happy to join the APC, promising to join hands with the MD of HJRBDA, Suleiman Bichi, and the party executives to work assiduously and deliver President Bola Tinubu and all APC candidates at the 2027 polls.

The Attorney General of the Federation(AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi has hinted of plans to probe the September 11 United Kingdom judgment involving Senior Advocate Mike Ozekhome and the late Gen. Jerry Useni over a disputed London property.

The Tribunal judgment was given by Judge Ewan Paton.

The late Gen Useni was the true owner of the disputed property located at 79, Randall Avenue, LondonNW2, purchased in 1993, according to the Tribunal. He got the property under false identity-Tali Shani.

Ozekhome’a application to register the property was ordered to be cancelled by the Tribunal. It ruled that Tali Shani couldn’t pass ownership because the name was used as a conduit for the late General’s fraudulent acquisition.

Fagbemi spoke yesterday at a special court session to mark the beginning of the Supreme Court’s 2025/2026 Legal Year and the inauguration of 57 senior advocates of Nigeria(SANs).

Fagbemi expressed concern about the rising number of complaints of professional misconduct against senior lawyers.

He noted that his office receives such complaints frequently.

Fagbemi said: ‘My office has, in recent times, taken note of the increasing number of complaints against senior members of the bar.

‘Thankfully, these are few and far between, but they still constitute such numbers as to be troubling.

‘The complaints border on professional misconduct and, if not addressed urgently, are capable of bringing this prestigious rank into disrepute locally and, as we have seen recently, internationally.

‘We need to reverse the perception that the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria confers immunity from disciplinary measures for professional misconduct.

‘We simply cannot have a Bar where one law applies to juniors and another to seniors.

My Lords, of note is the topical and trending matter that recently struck at the standing of our profession in Nigeria in the eyes of the world and in a way that stands out in recent memory.

‘It bears sadly on the high esteem and integrity that our noble profession commands as a sine qua non for our collective commitment and investment in the legal brand.

‘I am referring to the recent decision (11th September 2025) of an English property tribunal, by Judge Ewan Paton.

‘It will be remiss of me not to bring such an egregious development to the attention of my lords, in the hope that it is addressed frontally against the backdrop of the hallowed rules that guard and define the finest traditions by which our nobility should be measured.

‘It is for this reason that my office has now taken the unusual step of verifying the authenticity of this and often complaints with a view to referring them to the appropriate disciplinary bodies.

‘I look forward to receiving the cooperation of the Nigerian Bar Association and the Body of Senior Advocates in this regard,’ Fagbemi said.

The AGF, who challenged the Judiciary to be transparent in its operations, said ‘it is quite concerning to see the adverse ratings and negative perception indexes of our Judiciary.’

He went on: ‘Public confidence in the judiciary has been shaken by perceptions of undue influence, inconsistent rulings, and delays that frustrate justice.

‘Allegations of corruption, though often unproven, cast long shadows.

‘While I agree that the judiciary should be accountable less to public opinion and more to public interest, may I respectfully insist that in this climate, the judiciary should discharge that accountability by being principled, independent and impartial.

‘It must not only deliver justice, it must do so transparently, consistently, and with intellectual rigour.

‘It is therefore the responsibility of everyone present here and beyond to ensure that, like Caesar’s wife, the judiciary is above reproach and suspicion,’ Fagbemi said.

Also yesterday, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun expressed concern over the inadequate funding of states’ Judiciaries by the governors.

Justice Kekere-Ekun said the unfortunate development hampers the capacity of courts in states to effectively function.

She said: ‘The judiciary, especially at the sub-national level, is often underfunded, which impacts its ability to function effectively.

‘Inadequate funding leads to poor infrastructure, insufficient resources, and inadequate training for judicial staff members and support staff.

‘This, in turn, affects the efficiency and effectiveness of the judicial process. I need to state unequivocally that the challenges facing the Judiciary are not the responsibilities of the judiciary alone.

‘They require a collaborative effort involving all the three arms of government – the Executive, the Legislature, and the Judiciary – as well as the active participation of the citizens.

‘I therefore, call upon the executive arm of government, especially in the states to provide adequate funding for the judiciary, improve judicial

infrastructure, and support the implementation of technological advancements.

‘I urge the legislature to enact laws that support the independence of the Judiciary, strengthen anti-corruption mechanisms, and streamline court processes,’ she said