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Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo, has rehabilitated 130 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) across the state in less than four years in office.

The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Ben Obidike, disclosed this at the premises of the newly constructed Solution Trauma Centre Awka, while briefing the press shortly after inspecting the facility with a team of Journalists on Thursday, October 30th, 2925.

Obidike said the rehabilitated PHCs/hospitals and other newly constructed ones, including, the Okpoko General Hospital in Ogbaru Local Government Area, Solution Specialist Hospital Fegge, Onitsha South Local Government Area, Solution Rehabilitation Center Nibo, Awka South Local Government Area, Ekwulobia General Hospital, Aguata Local Government Area, Umueri General Hospital, Anambra East Local Government Area, Enugukwu General Hospital, Njikoka local government area, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University’s Teaching Hospital (COOUTH), Amaku-Awka and Solution General Hospital Anaku, Ayamelum local government area are part of the governor’s measures to improve healthcare delivery and bring healthcare services closer to the people.

He said the state government had taken significant steps to improve the healthcare sector, which would ensure increased access to quality healthcare facilities by residents across the state, regardless of financial status.

The Commissioner, who further noted that innovative measures were being taken by the current administration to transform the healthcare sector, expressed delight over private health investors’ interest in supporting the state government in ensuring a robust and resilient health system in Anambra.

According to him, what Governor Soludo is doing is not all about reelection politics but the future generation of Anambra State.

‘His vision is to make Anambra the safest, healthiest, green, clean, digitalised, smart, livable and prosperous state in Nigeria.

‘In less than four years of his administration, Governor Soludo has proven himself as a visionary leader who thinks of the next generation and not the next election. His transformational policy is to ensure Anambra emerges as Nigeria’s destination hub by 2070.

‘The medical facilities tour with you, the media, is to let the World know what Governor Soludo has dutifully achieved in less than four years of his administration and also to let Ndi-Anambra know what their tax money has done.

‘One of the major aims of this administration is to ensure that Anambra residents, irrespective of tribe, ethnicity and religious affiliations, have access to quality healthcare.

‘About 130 primary health care centres (PHCs), have been fully rehabilitated with solar lights, constant water supply and functional 30kV generator sets.

The Solution Trauma Centre Awka and the Solution Specialist Hospital Fegge Onitsha are in their finishing stages for official commissioning. We have migrated to a digitalised health care system with the establishment of Telemedicine. We also have functional 40 ambulance stations across major hospitals in the state. A total of 1,500 health workers have so far been recruited within the period under review.

‘We are targeting to be like India in the next five years.

‘All this and other uncountable achievements are micro to what the people of Anambra State will witness in the second term of Governor Soludo,’ Obidike assured.

He equally used the tour to solicit support for the governor’s reelection bid come Saturday, 8, 2025, the governorship election in the state.

In a significant step towards the creation of a new local government area, the Afaka Ward Technical Working Committee for the proposed Rigasa Local Government Area has formally handed over data containing 318,600 signatures of supporters to the Central Working Committee (CWC).

The handover ceremony, which took place at the skill acquisition centre in Mando Sabon Garin Afaka, was witnessed by a broad coalition of Afaka ward stakeholders, including traditional rulers, religious leaders and youth representatives.

Chairman of the Technical Committee, Tasiu Musa, while presenting the data, clarified that the 318,600 figure represents a significant portion of public support but is not the ward’s total population.

He stated that the enumeration was halted due to constraints of time and funds needed to support supervisors and enumerators, expressing gratitude to the CWC for its financial backing, which made the data collection possible.

In his address, chairman of the CWC, the Radian Afaka, Alhaji Muazu Abubakar Ruma, commended the technical working committee for its diligence in achieving the milestone, just as he issued an appeal to the National Assembly and the executive arm of the government, urging them to prioritise the creation of the Rigasa Local Government Area with its headquarters in Sabon Garin Afaka.

‘With this overwhelming number, it is clear that the people have spoken. The combined population of just Rigasa and Afaka is over 5,000,000. The creation of this local government area should be a priority for all arms of government to bring governance closer to the people,’ Alhaji Ruma noted.

The event featured addresses from prominent religious leaders who unanimously threw their weight behind the movement and praised the efforts of both committees.

The Deputy Imam of Zangon Daura Jumma’at Mosque in Mando Sabon Garin Afaka, Mallam Bashir Saleh Algoni, applauded the initiative and the meticulous work of the committees, as he offered prayers for the success of the proposal and for divine guidance for the government in considering the request.

Also, the Chief Imam of Sudais Jumma’at Mosque and Hayin Idi Musa Jumma’at Mosque in Mando, Sheik Muhammadu Salisu Sudais, described the movement as a righteous struggle for development. He commended the Central and Technical Working Committees for a job well done and prayed for unity and progress.

In a show of cross faith solidarity, chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Airport Afaka, Reverend Job David Abubakar, also expressed full support, as he joined his voice in appreciating the committees for their dedication and service to the community.

Reverend Abubakar further offered prayers, asking for divine intervention so that those who are going against this movement may come back to their senses and join hands to move Afaka ward forward for the collective good.

The submission from Afaka Ward follows the earlier completion and submission of data from the Rigasa ward, consolidating the widespread demand for the new local government creation. The movement now awaits the consideration of the state and national assemblies.

IN an age when mediocrity often overshadows merit, one young woman has reminded Nigeria and the world that true excellence wears the face of modesty and grace. Dr. Kopada Ameena Abiola, a recent graduate of the University of Ilorin College of Health Sciences, has rewritten the script of academic brilliance, walking away with 24 awards and prizes at her induction as a medical doctor. Her story has captured hearts not only for its sheer brilliance but also for its symbolism. Draped in her hijab, confident and serene, she embodies the message that she covers her head, not her brain. Beneath that veil lies a mind sharpened by diligence, a heart refined by faith, and a spirit strengthened by the grace of Almighty Allah. ‘Indeed, Allah does not allow the reward of those who do good to be lost.’ (Qur’an 9:120) Those who know Dr. Ameena describe her as the embodiment of calm strength – disciplined, humble, and deeply devoted.

Throughout her medical training, she was known for her integrity, consistency, and compassion. Her professors and colleagues attest that she excelled not only in the classroom but also in character – an uncommon blend in today’s fast-paced and often superficial world. To her, wearing the hijab was never a restriction but a reminder of divine identity. ‘The hijab did not stop me,’ she once said with a gentle smile. ‘It reminded me who I am and Who I serve.’ Her statement resonates far beyond the walls of the university. It challenges societal stereotypes that equate modernity with moral compromise, and it proves that one can be both modest and magnificent.Dr. Ameena’s story is not merely a tale of personal triumph; it is a wake-up call to a generation losing its sense of purpose. To the young girls who believe success requires losing modesty, her journey offers a sacred alternative – one built on faith, focus, and fortitude. Her achievement declares loudly that Islam and education are not in conflict, but complementary paths towards enlightenment and service. To every young woman battling self-doubt or peer pressure, her life whispers a simple truth: you can be brilliant, beautiful, and God-fearing; you can shine without losing your soul. ‘Whoever strives in Our cause, We will surely guide them to Our ways.’ (Qur’an 29:69

In humility and gratitude, Dr. Ameena has dedicated her remarkable success to Almighty Allah, acknowledging that every milestone is a trust to be used in service of humanity. Her dream is to combine her medical expertise with her passion for community service, promoting both healthcare and the values of compassion, integrity, and faith in society. Her example proves that true education transcends certificates – it shapes the heart as much as it trains the mind. She stands as a model of what Nigerian youth can achieve when guided by discipline, sincerity, and spiritual grounding. ‘The real adornment of a woman is not her beauty, but her virtue and intelligence guided by faith.’ (Anonymous)Let Ameena’s journey inspire young men and women across Nigeria. To the girls drifting towards vanity and distraction, her life urges a redirection towards learning, faith, and purposeful living. To the boys, her story teaches that humility and respect are not signs of weakness, but marks of wisdom. In celebrating Dr. Kopada Ameena Abiola, we celebrate the rebirth of moral excellence – the triumph of wisdom over vanity, faith over fear, and discipline over distraction. Indeed, she is not just a medical doctor; she is a message.

May her story remind us all that when knowledge meets faith, miracles happen, and when a woman walks with Allah, she never walks alone*

The Federal Government has commenced the disbursement of funds under the Tertiary Institution Staff Support Fund (TISSF) designed to strengthen staff welfare, institutional productivity, and innovation across Nigeria’s tertiary education system.

This is contained in a statement made in Abuja on Friday by the Director, Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs Folasade Boriowo.

Boriowo, while quoting the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, on the milestone, said the welfare was an initiative of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Alausa said the programme had transitioned from planning to full implementation, with more than 9,000 staff of tertiary institutions receiving payments in the first year.

This, he said represented 28 per cent of the 33,000 verified applicants drawn from 219 Federal and State tertiary institutions across the federation.

Alausa said the first phase of disbursement covered both academic and non-academic personnel in a 30:70 ratio, reflecting the government’s inclusive approach to supporting all categories of staff in the nation’s higher education institutions.

‘The President is delivering for our tertiary institutions- for welfare, for productivity, and for the future.

‘Within just four months, payments have started going out. This is a President that delivers, and the Ministry of Education is profoundly grateful for his continuous support and commitment to staff welfare,’ Alausa said.

Alausa emphasised that the initiative goes beyond financial assistance, describing it as an investment in the nation’s knowledge economy.

‘This Fund is not merely about disbursement; it is about restoring dignity, rewarding dedication, and rebuilding the foundation of our knowledge economy,’ he said.

He reaffirmed the Ministry’s dedication to transparency, pledging quarterly financial reporting, institutional engagement, and robust monitoring mechanisms to ensure that all funds were effectively utilised and repaid to expand access for more beneficiaries in the future.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the initiative, launched in August 2025, following a high-level stakeholder engagement in July is a key component of the federal government’s Nigerian Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI)

It is designed to enhance morale, performance, and institutional excellence within the tertiary education sector.

Under the scheme, eligible staff can access up to N10 million in concessionary zero-interest loans to tackle essential livelihood and productivity needs, including housing, healthcare, education, transportation, and small business ventures.

In a major shake-up aimed at strengthening command structures and boosting operational efficiency in the Nigerian Army, the new Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has approved the posting and appointment of senior officers to key command, staff, and instructional positions across formations, units, and training institutions of the Nigerian Army.

The was contained in a statement available to Defence Correspondents in Abuja by Lieutenant Colonel Appolonia Anele, Acting Director of Army Public Relations,

The statement explained that the appointments reflected the COAS’s commitment to reinvigorating leadership and enhancing professionalism within the ranks.

Among the newly appointed officers, Major General Bamidele Alabi now serves as Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), while Major General Jamal Abdulsalam moves to the Defence Headquarters as Chief of Defence Operations.

Major General Peter Mala has been appointed Commander, Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), and Major General Samson Jiya becomes Chief of Defence.

Other key appointments include Major General Mayirenso Saraso as Chief of Operations (Army), Major General Isa Abdullahi as Chief of Administration (Army), and Major General Musa Etsu-Ndagi as Chief of Civil-Military Affairs. Major General Abubakar Haruna assumes command at the Nigerian Army Training Centre (NATRAC) Kontagora, while Major General Philip Ilodibia takes charge as Chief of Defence Space Administration.

At the Corps level, Major General Godwin Mutkut has been appointed Corps Commander Infantry, Major General Umar Abubakar as Commander Armour Corps, Major General John Adeyemo as Corps Commander Artillery, and Major General Mohammed Abdullahi as Corps Commander Signals.

In addition, Major General Taofik Sidick is now Chief of Accounts and Budget (Army), Major General Abdullahi Ibrahim becomes Corps Commander Ordnance, and Major General Adeyinka Adereti assumes command of the Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. Major General Nansak Shagaya now leads the Corps of Supply and Transport, while Brigadier General Yusha’u Ahmed takes charge as Acting Corps Commander Education.

Others are Major General Oluyemi Olatoye named Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Major General Emmanuel Mustapha as Commandant, Nigerian Army Signal School, and Major General Adamu Hassan as Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Artillery. Brigadier General John Bulus was also appointed Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Finance and Accounts.

In the field, Major General Saidu Audu takes over as Force Commander, Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) N’Djamena; Major General Warrah Idris assumes command of Joint Task Force North West Operation FANSAN YAMMA; and Major General Oluremi Fadairo becomes General Officer Commanding 82 Division and Commander, Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA.

Major General Olatokumbo Bello was also appointed Director of Defence Media Operations, while Brigadier General Samaila Uba becomes Director of Defence Information at the Defence Headquarters.

The COAS charged the newly appointed senior officers to bring their wealth of experience, professionalism, and foresight to bear in advancing a disciplined, motivated, and combat-ready Army. He further urged them to sustain the ongoing operational momentum, deepen inter-agency collaboration, and uphold the Army’s core values of loyalty, selfless service, integrity, and excellence.

Money is a big part of our daily lives, but for many people, it brings more stress than comfort. Financial anxiety is the worry, fear, or unease you feel about money. It could be about paying bills, settling debts, or planning for the future. The interesting part is that overcoming financial anxiety is possible. With the right steps, you can reduce money stress and build a healthier, calmer relationship with your finances.

The following are seven simple ways to start:

1. Understand financial anxiety

Financial anxiety goes beyond everyday worry. It’s that constant, heavy feeling that you’re not in control of your money. It can look like having sleepless nights, avoiding money conversations, or feeling nervous whenever you think about upcoming expenses.

2. Know the common causes

To begin overcoming financial anxiety, you need to understand where it is coming from. Some of the common causes include: job insecurity/unstable income, high debt, lack of financial knowledge, fear of missing out, black tax, etc.

3. Notice the warning signs

Financial anxiety usually shows itself in your body, emotions, and actions. You might experience headaches, panic attacks, or stomach upset.

Emotionally, you may feel constantly stressed and agitated. Behaviourally, it could mean avoiding social life, fighting with loved ones, or using unhealthy coping methods like overeating.

Recognising these signs helps you act on them early.

4. Understand the impact

If you leave things unchecked, financial anxiety can lead to bigger problems. It can damage relationships, affect your health, and even cause depression. The truth is, ignoring it doesn’t make it go away. In fact, it usually makes things worse.

5. Take control with a budget

One of the best ways of overcoming financial anxiety is by creating a budget. Write down what money comes in and what goes out. Give every Naira a purpose. It could be for electricity bills, savings, or debt repayment. This sense of control reduces fear and uncertainty.

6. Seek support when needed

You don’t have to do this all alone. Talking to a financial advisor can give you clarity. A therapist can also give you support if the anxiety feels overwhelming. And sharing your money issues with people and friends you trust can reduce the pressure. You’ll be relieved to know that you’re not the only one facing these challenges.

7. Build healthier money habits

Focus on the little progress. Make a clear plan to reduce debt, learn more about personal finance, and have self-control. Don’t worry, over time, these small habits will help you feel more confident with money.

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday gave marching orders to the nation’s new security chiefs, saying that their topmost priority must be to end the security crisis the country is facing.

The president, who said the time for entertaining excuses was over, asked them to immediately ramp up the counter-insurgency operations and decimate emerging armed groups.

Tinubu gave the orders at the decoration ceremony of the security chiefs held inside the State House, Abuja.

He said, though, the military had recorded impressive gains over the years, he wanted them to be more aggressive now by ending the security challenges.

The president said, ‘The emergence of new armed groups in the North-Central, North-West and parts of the South is of grave concern.

‘We must not allow these new threats to fester. We must be decisive and proactive. Let us smash the new snakes right in the head.’

According to him, no meaningful development can take place in the midst of insecurity, stressing that protecting citizens remained the government’s core function.

‘Security is an essential element without which everything else is rendered meaningless,’ he told the new chiefs, noting that economic growth would remain stagnant in the absence of peace.

Tinubu paid tribute to the military for the sacrifices they made in preserving the country’s territorial integrity, adding that many officers and men paid the supreme price in battles to safeguard Nigeria.

While acknowledging these efforts, the president, however, said the evolving security landscape required the new security heads to think beyond traditional frameworks to apply ideas that placed them ahead of the enemies, including deployment of technology.

‘We cannot allow the crisis that began in 2009 to persist any longer. Nigerians expect results, not excuses’, he told them.

The president assured the military of government’s support at all times, saying that their welfare and equipment would be promptly addressed.

With the decoration, the service chiefs now have new ranks – Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant- General Wahidi Shaibu; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke.

All the four service chiefs were on Wednesday unanimously confirmed by the National Assembly.

In his farewell address, the immediate past CDS, General C.G. Musa, urged the officers and the personnel of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) to cooperate with General Oluyede in national interest .

Speaking during the handing and taking over ceremony, the new CDS said. that he was taking the job with high sense of responsibility and reaffirmed his commitment to the security of the nation .

He assured that accountability, discipline, adequate welfare, loyalty and professionalism would be the centre focus, while fight against banditry, terrorists and all forms of criminality would be pursued vigorously .

COAS pledges legacy of exemplary leadership

Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu on Thursday assumed office as the 25th Chief of Army Staff (COAS) of the Nigerian Army with a pledge to consolidate and build on the remarkable legacies of his predecessor, while enhancing synergy among security agencies and government institutions to strengthen national security.

Speaking at the handing and taking over ceremony between him and the immediate past COAS, and the new Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Oluyede, at the Army Headquarters, Abuja, General Shaibu, assured that he would review the current security situation and respond swiftly to evolving threats, stressing his commitment to improving operational efficiency and troop morale.

The new COAS commended General Oluyede for his outstanding leadership, mentorship and support to the Nigerian Army.

He further lauded the achievements of General Oluyede, particularly in the areas of equipment procurement and infrastructural development which prioritised troops’ welfare and operational readiness.

He saluted the courage, passion, resilience and discipline of the troops in the field and reaffirmed that their sacrifices remained the cornerstone of the collective success of the Service.

He appreciated President Bola Tinubu for finding him worthy of the new position and promised to serve the nation with all his abilities in ending insurgency activities in the country.

In his valedictory remarks, General Oluyede expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for his visionary leadership and the privilege to serve as COAS and now as CDS.

Abbas vows to tackle oil theft

Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, on Thursday, assumed office as the 23rd Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) at a handing and taking over ceremony held at the Naval Headquarters in Abuja with a promise to intensify the fight against crude oil theft, illegal bunkering and other maritime crimes threatening Nigeria’s economy.

Speaking during the handing-over ceremony, he acknowledged that despite notable achievements, Nigeria’s maritime environment remained threatened by crude oil theft, sea robbery, illegal fishing, drug trafficking and other maritime crimes that jeopardise national security and economic prosperity.

He, however, promised that during his tenure as the CNS, he would address all the challenges squarely, including improving maritime security, enhancing fleet capability through aggressive fleet renewal and increased use of technology, prioritising personnel training and welfare as well as strengthening collaboration with other security agencies.

He assured personnel that their welfare would remain a top priority, vowing to lead by example and maintain open communication. ‘I promise to lead from the front, to listen and to ensure that your welfare remains a top priority,’ he stated.

Earlier, the immediate CNS, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Nkechukw Ogala, had commended President Bola Tinubu for the opportunity given him to serve the nation and urged the officers and the entire personnel of the service to cooperate with the new CNS.

Aneke promises sustained fight against insurgency

Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, on Thursday officially assumed duty as the 23rd Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) with a promise to consolidate on the achievements of his predecessor, Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, whose tenure was marked by professionalism, courage and exceptional achievements, particularly in the fight against insurgency activities in the country .

Speaking during the handing and taking over ceremony in Abuja, Aneke described his appointment as a privilege and a solemn duty, pledging to lead with humility, integrity and commitment to national security.

Aneke reiterated that his appointment was both a tremendous privilege and a solemn duty, while expressing gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for the confidence reposed in him.

He reaffirmed the unflinching loyalty of the Nigerian Air Force to the president, the constitution and the Nigerian people, assuring that under his leadership, the NAF would remain willing, able and ready to safeguard the nation’s airspace, strengthen inter-service synergy as well as deliver the security architecture vital to Nigeria’s peace and transformation.

Ndume to CDS, Service Chief: Ensure your personnel are well motivated

Former Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, has urged the new CDS and the Service Chiefs to push for better remuneration for the Nigerian Armed Forces personnel to boost their motivation.

The lawmaker gave the advice on Thursday in a statement he issued in Abuja on the heels of decoration of the officers with their new ranks by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The Senator representing Borno South, who incidentally was the former Chairman, Senate Committee on Army in the Ninth Senate, maintained that better remuneration was key in boosting the morale of the military in the fight against insurgency, banditry and other threats inimical to security of lives and property of Nigerians.

The lawmaker also advocated that the present administration should ensure that the military budget be accorded priority by being placed in the First Line Charge.

FOR years, we have deplored the horrendous practice of ritual killings and mutilations, but there are no signs that it is abating. Instead, it has grown worse, with incidents of youth involvement spiking in recent times. Recently, the Bauchi State Police Command arrested a 17-year-old boy, Auwal Dahiru, and five others for allegedly plucking out the eyes of his seven-year-old sister, Rukayya Muhammad, in a suspected case of money ritual. The dastardly incident took place in Bayan Dutse village of Ganjuwa Local Government Area of the state. According to the command’s Public Relations Officer, Ahmed Wakil, the incident was reported on October 17 by one Muhammad Adamu of Bayan Dutse at the Soro Divisional Police Headquarters. The story was that at about 8 p.m., Auwal lured his younger sister into a nearby bush, attacked her with intent to kill, and forcefully plucked out her eyes. Following the report, the Divisional Police Officer, Aliyu Goni, led a team of detectives to the scene and arrested the suspect, while the victim was immediately rushed to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi, for medical attention.

Wakil added: ‘Unfortunately, a medical doctor (eye specialist) at the hospital confirmed that the young girl will never regain her vision for the rest of her life.’ He revealed that the other suspects arrested in connection with the incident voluntarily confessed to the crime during interrogation. The suspects are Mohammed Rabiu, 19, Saleh Ibrahim, 20, Nasiru Muhammad, Hassan Garba, and Garba Dahiru, 43. The statement added that the Commissioner of Police in the state, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, had directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department.

Time and again, the country has been confronted with the ugly spectacle of ritual killings and allied crimes. Individuals engaged in the criminal, demonic practice have been arrested in various states, including Ogun, Osun, and Ekiti. In states like Rivers, Delta, and Edo, some of the cases were linked to cult groups or secret societies. In one instance, Awesu Mojisola Morufat, a graduate of the Kwara State College of Health Technology, was killed and allegedly used for money ritual, with her lifeless body dumped in a bush in Ilorin, Kwara State. In another, this time around in Ogun State, a teenager was caught with a fresh human head and would go on to confess that it was meant for a ritual to secure wealth. In another instance in the state, a group of boys killed one of their girlfriends, a development that the police linked to ritual practices. In Osun State, a pastor and an herbalist were arrested for conspiring to murder a woman for ritual purposes.

As a matter of fact, two men, Elijah Oyebode and Yusuf Ajibade, were sentenced to death by hanging in the state for killing a final-year student, Rofiat Adebisi, for money ritual purposes. That was in April 2020. In 2021, the police arrested a 22-year-old, one Musa Hamza, for allegedly beheading a teenager and removing his eyes for ritual purposes in the Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State. The suspect reportedly burnt the victim’s body and buried the remains in a shallow grave. In April 2024, police in Ondo State arrested a cleric, Oluwafemi Idris, for being in possession of human organs. In another instance, a self-proclaimed cleric was reportedly caught grinding the exhumed remains of a one-year-old infant whom he had been entrusted to care for by the mother!

The latest incident is heartbreaking and soul-crushing. That a teenager who is just starting out in life is already so enamoured by the love of money as to target his younger sister’s life is not only shocking; it is horrific. It shows that the craze for money has assumed disturbing dimensions in the society. This is, of course, hardly surprising because for a long time, home and family values have been eroded as the society descends into the abyss. Really, what does the murderous teenager in this sordid story even want to do with the money realised from murdering his seven-year-old sister and using her eyes for the occult manipulation called money ritual? As it is, the girl is only alive by divine providence: she was meant to die. What wealth, power, or protection can be obtained from wantonly shed human blood? If at 17 this boy is already removing people’s eyes, what will he do later in life if he gets away with this crime?

The agony that the girl and her parents are currently going through must be unimaginable. The suspect has ruined his sister’s life, and she will grow up lamenting the ugly incident that altered the course of her life so early in life. The case is made worse by the fact that the Nigerian society lacks the full complement of support that people with reduced mobility have. Just how can a teenager act like a monster, thoroughly bereft of feeling and compassion? What is this society turning into? How are teenagers, whose preoccupation should be the completion of their secondary and higher education, getting lured into the trap of sudden, unexplainable wealth?

The law must take its course in this case. But more importantly, the Nigerian society must be reengineered in such a way as to revive the old moral and family values. Failure to do this means anarchy, pure and undiluted.

Omoleye Sowore has a fairly robust history in what he does so well – activism. But his had been mainly a campus business, thriving within the precincts of the University of Lagos (Unilag) in Akoka, Lagos. Until the event of June 12, 1993 and the chain of events that subsequently followed, Sowore was, at best, the active President of Unilag’s Students Union Association. His performance on that beat was never evaluated for national rating. It was when Chief M.K.O Abiola was stopped from becoming President after winning the June 12, 1993, presidential election, that Sowore assumed a scale that attracted national attention. He became a key partner in the struggle for the realization of the June 12 mandate freely given to Chief Abiola by Nigerians, but aborted by the military under Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida.

Various reports have chronicled Sowore’s travails on account of his radical positions on national issues. He has his own idea of an ideal society. And this is not unusual. Every student leader or activist does. This was more so in the days when the old Soviet Union ran infinitely parallel to the West on the ideological highway. Marxism was integral part of campus culture. Every student had a way of imbibing lessons on communism from the Political Science Department of the university. The Communist Manifesto was a compulsory companion. Protest scholarship and leftist inclinations were very fashionable among students and teachers. Any conversation that did not promote the economics of Karl Marx over the economics of Adam Smith did not enjoy acclamation. Spartan lifestyle and a disposition that scorned wealth in both symbolism and substance provided an edge.

With students, the status quo is never fair enough at all times. The operating rules are always seen as enhancing the system against the collective will of the students. Every status quo is oppressive. Thus, the history of student activism is also the history of an unending battle to offset the status quo for good in the ivory towers and by extension, the larger society. Those who came before Sowore in Unilag and elsewhere, Like Labaran Maku, Dino Melaye and Godswill Akpabio, fought the same fight. Those who came after him and I guess, these should include, Michael Opeyemi Bamidele and Philip Shuibu, also did. And those who are there now are also fighting the fight to change the status quo. But the status quo both in the campuses and in bigger Nigeria has refused to shift. Almost in all cases, these fighters have a way of graduating from the campus reality to a new reality where victory is no longer certain and therefore ill-advised to continue with the struggle to offset the status quo.

I confess that, in content and character, Sowore didn’t appear different to me in the beginning. I have become used to a horde of circumstantial ideologues who shift with their real-life experiences. They change in colour and character. It is the reason, for instance, that Bamidele Opeyemi as a student leader and Bamidele Opeyemi as the Senate Majority Leader cannot converge peacefully in a personality. Also, Adams Oshiomhole as a comrade and soldiering labour leader and Adams Oshiomhole as a successful politician represent unbridgeable differentials in characterization.

When they held the short end of the stick, they decreed equity without recourse to the given circumstances. To student leaders and similar crusaders, other factors like competence, risk-taking and character should not count in the appropriation of advantages. They would say that all men (and women too) are born equal but would forget to add that at birth and through growth, the equal births are endowed differently by nature and nurture to manifest differently in the journey of life. They are not driven by conviction but a desire to gain a visibility that would position them for competition. They naturally push beyond student politics and activism into partisan politics in search for political positions that offer undue economic advantages. They lack the skills and temperament for personal drive. They must hold tight to politics and political appointments to survive. At this point, fighting to change the status quo assumes a personal meaning. It means free-loading of public resources to change status and escape from material poverty.

But here is a Sowore that has struggled to maintain a different outlook in spite of the flowing opportunities to join the fray. He may have created doubts somewhere along his rough journey. And I think I know when this happened to him. He had worked hard at revalidating June 12 which didn’t come through but facilitated the debut of the Fourth Republic on May 29, 1999. The same Sowore lost his essence and worked hard to bring about Buhari on May 29, 2015. It was an embarrassing display of ideological cross purposes. That is, after an unsuccessful battle to enthrone a democrat in 1993, Sowore, 22 years later, lent himself to a vicious propaganda machine that clinically marketed and sold an autocrat as a democrat to the nation. It was a contradiction that betrayed a conflicted and feeble mind that could be easily manipulated by opportunists and fortune hunters for their gains. It was a tactical misstep that almost led to the strategic collapse of Activist Sowore. The good news is that he has managed to remain on steady recovery since that misadventure.

I am here today to announce that the man has made good progress. He has done enough to be completely restituted. He has reconnected with his calling to defend the defenceless and offer a voice to the voiceless. I am impressed. Perhaps, Sowore had not read Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein when he decided to join in creating a ‘monster’ in 2015. If he had, he would have known that once created, the monster would burst boundaries and roam freely to create anguish. The containment of the beast would task the creativity of the creator who equally faces the fearful prospect of being consumed by it.

And that, precisely, was what happened to Sowore. His honeymoon with President Mohammadu Buhari and the APC did not last. He suddenly realized that he had been deceived into following a false prophet to damnation. He found himself at the dinner table with Lucifer without a long spoon. He chose to walk away. But Sowore did not walk away quietly because it is not in his character to exist alliances quietly. He made so much noise out of it that offset the serenity at the dining table. For doing that, he was made to be going in and coming out of detention almost at the same frequency that he went and came out of the bathroom to have his bath.

Since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had promised to continue from where Buhari stopped, the expectation was for Sowore to remain properly guided. But like a life crab, he has refused to remain within wraps. His motivations are stronger than his fears. He has been back and plying the same trade that has only paid him trouble and so much of it. Everything considered, it is difficult to situate any personal benefit for Sowore in the risks he takes relentlessly to speak truth to power in Nigeria. He is neither seeking to be recognized nor cultivated. He already has recognition and means. Actually, he lives in the US and only works in Nigeria. His job is very risky. It entails doing battle with ill-trained armed security men who prioritise regime protection over the defence of the constitution and the citizenry. And he works for people who cannot even pay him a small salary to buy food and eat. He operates that risky beat free of charge. Some of his employers do not even appreciate the work he does for them. They abuse him on top of his travails.

Such is the sorrow of Sowore. He has however stayed the course to define his cause. And I want to propose that the man, at this point, deserves his flowers. He is not a pretender. He is real. What he has gone through in the hands of successive regimes since the dawn of this Republic is too far reaching to be called sports or attention seeking. Nobody undergoes such pains to prove a style. Agreed, at some point, his fellowship with con men had got his cause confused into a curse. We may attribute this to his desire to align with any voice that professes progressivism to fast track his dream of a better Nigeria. In other words, in a hurry to arrive at destination, Sowore had taken proclamation for manifestation and followed faithfully witches and wizards into coven.

Coven is not a tourist destination. It is not a place to visit and return to base to tell the experience just like that without deep scars. Initiation follows upon arrival in coven. Apparently, Sowore, knowing what was involved, refused to be initiated. By the rules of engagement, that was an unspeakable affront that could only be mitigated by absolute liquidation of the agent provocateur. This was Sowore’s dilemma. He signed a pact with the devil without inserting a vitiating clause. Everything he has suffered is the consequence of his refusal to discharge a sinister obligation arising from the pact. This is why the elders advise against having dinner with the devil even with a very long spoon.

Sowore cannot stand alone in this battle. He represents positivity. The people and angels shall work with him as he fights to live his mission.

Dr Vincent Osoka, General Surgery Resident at University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, has emphasised that reducing intake of smoked meats and exposure to tobacco smoke can lower the risk of developing gastric cancer.

Osoka made the remark on Thursday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan.

He said regular upper gastrointestinal surveillance was necessary for those with inherited conditions that increase the risk of gastric cancer.

According to Osoka, stomach cancer, also known as gastric cancer, occurs when normal cells in the stomach lining begin to grow and divide uncontrollably, resulting in the formation of a tumor.

This tumor, he adds, can penetrate deeper into the stomach wall and may spread to other organs.

‘Gastric cancer is biologically aggressive, with high rates of recurrence and mortality; it is the fourth most common type of cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide.

‘The major risk factors for gastric cancer include both environmental and genetic factors.

‘Helicobacter pylori infection is associated with an increased risk of developing stomach cancer.

‘This bacterium has been linked to peptic ulcer disease. It is important to clarify that not all upper abdominal pain is due to gastric ulcers.

‘Many Nigerians mistakenly assume that any epigastric pain is caused by a gastric ulcer and often self-administer antacids,’ he said.

He advised that it was crucial to investigate such symptoms further to rule out the possibility of gastric cancer.

The medical expert noted that high-salt foods, particularly from salted or smoked meats, along with a low intake of fruits and vegetables, had been linked to an increased risk of stomach cancer.

According to him, the increase in refrigeration over the past 70 years has likely contributed to a decrease in gastric cancer rates by reducing reliance on salt preservation of meat and allowing for the increased storage and consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables.

‘Tobacco smoke is another known risk factor for gastric cancer.

‘Gastric cancer is also associated with several rare inherited disorders, including Hereditary Diffuse Gastric Cancer, Familial Adenomatous Polyposis, Li-Fraumeni Syndrome and Lynch Syndrome’.

On some of the symptoms, he said: ‘The symptoms are typically nonspecific, which often leads to a diagnosis at a more advanced stage of the disease.

He cautioned people not to trivialise abdominal symptoms and to consult a specialist for evaluation.

Osoka explained further that gastric cancer was a biologically aggressive cancer.

He said the standard treatment for achieving a cure is the complete removal of the gastric tumor along with a wide margin of normal stomach tissue.

He advised those who already had stomach cancer to consult a gastrointestinal surgeon for expert care as soon as possible.

Also, Dr Ugochi Ikeme, Senior Resident Doctor, General Surgery at UCH, said stomach cancer was more common in males and twice as common in blacks than whites.

Ikeme described it as mostly a disease of the elderly and called ‘the captain of the men of death’.

She remarked that ingested nitrites from preserved foods are converted to nitrosamines which increases the risk.