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Seadove Generale Surveillance Company Limited has provided free medical care to more than 900 residents of Onna Local Government Area and nearby communities in Akwa Ibom State.

The weeklong outreach, held at Abat Primary Health Centre, was organized in partnership with the Voice of Community and Environmental Rights Initiative (VCERI) as part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility program.

The exercise covered health education, laboratory tests, consultations, eye care, drug prescriptions, and minor surgeries, all provided at no cost.

A 60-year-old farmer, Mr. Kufreabasi, who received treatment during the outreach, described the initiative as a ‘lifesaver.’

‘I have battled high blood pressure for five years without proper treatment because I couldn’t afford hospital bills. This program is a big relief for me and many others,’ Kufreabasi said.

Another beneficiary, Mrs. Mary Udom, said the health talk session helped her understand how to prevent diseases and adopt a healthier lifestyle.

‘I’ve learned how to eat better, keep clean surroundings, and avoid self-medication. This is more than just treatment, it’s empowerment,’ she noted.

Speaking with journalists, the Executive Director of Business Development and Strategy at Seadove, Mr. Godwin Ekpo, said the initiative reflects the company’s commitment to community welfare.

‘We owe it to our host communities to deliver impact-driven CSR. Our target is to reach at least 900 people, including 40 minor surgeries,’ he stated.

Ekpo, who noted the large turnout, said the outreach covered five local government areas – Onna, Eket, Eastern Obolo, Ibeno, and Mkpat-Enin – reaching about 38 communities.

‘The crowd today is a proof that the need for quality healthcare at the grassroots is massive. We’re happy to be part of the solution,’ he added.

The Vice Chairman of Onna LGA, Mrs. Mfon Jeremiah, who represented the Chairman, Hon. Kufre Umoren, commended Seadove for supporting Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda, especially in the health sector.

‘This is a worthy partnership that complements government efforts. We urge other corporate bodies to emulate Seadove’s example,’ she said.

Also speaking, the Village Head of Ikot Ntuen, Ette Idung Ubong Ekanem, praised the company for its gesture.

‘Seadove has shown that development is not just about roads and buildings; it is about touching lives,’ he said.

He expressed hope that the outreach would continue across other communities, noting that many beneficiaries look forward to similar interventions to help close the healthcare gap in rural areas of Akwa Ibom State.

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have successfully dismantled two major drug cartels behind six different consignments of cocaine concealed in the walls of stainless cups, body cream, and hair gel containers.

According to an NDLEA statement issued on Sunday, the breakthrough followed a series of intelligence-led operations that lasted over three weeks across Lagos. The operations led to the arrest of five suspects, including the alleged ringleader of the syndicate, Alhaji Hammed Taofeek Ode, who poses as a businessman and real estate developer.

The beginning of the end of the criminal network’s operations came on 16th September 2025, when NDLEA operatives at the export shed of the Lagos International Airport intercepted 174 parcels of cocaine weighing 13.40 kilograms, concealed in the walls of cocoa butter body cream containers. A cargo agent was promptly arrested.

The Director of Media and Advocacy for the NDLEA, Mr. Femi Babafemi, said in the statement that further investigations revealed Alhaji Hammed Taofeek Ode as the mastermind of the shipment. After weeks of intelligence gathering, it was established that the drug baron had earlier reported a dispute at the Zone 2 headquarters of the Police in Lagos, after which the agency sought the cooperation of the police to place him in custody.

During his preliminary interview, Alhaji Hammed Ode admitted ownership of the consignment, which he claimed he bought for over N150 million. He said he is a businessman and estate developer who returned from the United Kingdom in 2024. He reportedly lived for over 27 years in several European countries, including Austria, the Netherlands, France, Germany, and Saudi Arabia, before settling in the UK.

Similarly, five other attempts by another criminal syndicate to export cocaine consignments to the United Kingdom were also thwarted by operatives of the Lagos Airport Strategic Command of the NDLEA. The unraveling of the gang began on 26th September, following the seizure of 2.10kg of cocaine concealed in the walls of hair cream containers at the export shed of the Lagos airport.

The arrest of a cargo agent led to the apprehension of the consignor, Smith David Korede, a furniture maker, on 30th September at his residence at 3 Arowojobe Street, Mafoluku, Oshodi, Lagos, where another consignment of 1.40kg of cocaine meant for export to the UK was recovered.

On the same day, another consignment of 1.00kg of cocaine, similarly concealed and also destined for the UK, was intercepted at the export shed of the airport. The cargo agent arrested in connection with the 1.00kg cocaine identified Smith David Korede as the consignor, bringing to three the number of cocaine consignments linked to the suspect.

Two other cocaine-laden consignments bound for the UK were also intercepted by NDLEA operatives at the export shed of the Lagos airport on Thursday. Two suspects; Ogunbiyi Oluseye Taiwo and Popoola Francis Olumuyiwa ; linked to the seizures were promptly arrested.

One of the consignments, the statement said, contained crayfish and 12 pieces of stainless cups used to conceal 1.00kg of cocaine, while the second consignment also contained crayfish and 36 containers of hair cream used to conceal 1.60kg of cocaine.

The attempt by another criminal gang to smuggle 6.3 kilograms of Loud, a strong strain of cannabis, into Lagos concealed in bedsheets and hibiscus flowers from Thailand was equally foiled by NDLEA operatives attached to some courier companies. Meanwhile, a joint operation between NDLEA officers and Customs Service personnel at a checkpoint along the Danbatta-Daura road in Kano on Thursday led to the arrest of 38-year-old Sa’adu Ali and the seizure of 290,450 pills of Tramadol 250mg and Pregabalin capsules.

In Lagos, a notorious drug dealer, John Igbe, known as SammyBless and notorious for distributing illicit drugs in the Lekki and Ajah axis, was arrested on 30th September at Admiralty Road, Lekki. A total of 550 grams of Colorado, a synthetic strain of cannabis, packaged in retail plastic cups was recovered from him.

Babafemi added that three other suspects, Idris Lukman, Fuad Abdulsalam, and Mobolaji James, were arrested the same day in the Mushin area of the state. NDLEA officers seized 109kg of skunk, 20 bottles of codeine syrup, and 2kg of nitrous oxide from them. At the Trade Fair Complex, Alaba area of the state, 3,700 bottles of codeine syrup and 550,000 caplets of expired 225mg diclofenac were also recovered.

While a total of 27,700 pills of Tramadol 100mg/225mg were seized from a suspect, Salisu Abubakar, at Bode Saadu, Moro LGA, Kwara State, on 29th September, another suspect, Blessing Ovaka, was caught with 498.5kg of skunk at Kudandan, Chukun LGA, Kaduna, the same day. Similarly, Dahiru Salisu was arrested in possession of 34,180 capsules of Tramadol at Gwargwaje along the Kaduna-Zaria road on 2nd October.

In Ogun State, NDLEA operatives on 29th September raided Isheri, Obafemi Owode LGA, where a suspect, Abubakar Audu, was arrested with 112kg of skunk and 16 grams of Tramadol. Three other suspects, Chuimieze Shedrack, Sunday John, and Solomon Okopko were arrested by NDLEA officers on Thursday at the Owena/Ijesha forest reserve in Osun State, where they destroyed 14,000kg of skunk on 5.6 hectares of cannabis plantation and recovered 142kg of the same psychoactive substance.

In Edo State, NDLEA operatives on 1st October intercepted a Toyota Sienna vehicle marked KUJ 47 NW, loaded with 22 bags of skunk weighing 244.5kg, at Igbanke, Orhionmwon LGA, and arrested a suspect, Ineh Excellent Obindi.

A total of 10,897.35kg of skunk was destroyed on four farms measuring 4.358 hectares at Ugbodo Forest, Ovia North East LGA, on Friday. Two suspects ;, Michael Ayang and Bernard New Year (a.k.a. Don), were arrested, and not less than 223.5kg of processed cannabis and seeds were recovered from the farms.

The statement added that operatives on patrol along the Okene-Lokoja highway intercepted a waybill parcel coming from Lagos to Abuja containing 3.272kg of Loud and a sachet of Colorado. A follow-up operation at Gwagwalada Park in Abuja led to the arrest of the owner, Tobi Odubote, while another suspect, Ismail Abdurrahim, was arrested in possession of 25.5kg of skunk along the Abaji-Abuja expressway on Thursday.

Reacting to the successful operations, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig-Gen. Mohamed Marwa (Rtd), warned that the agency would not relent until the threat posed by substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking is eliminated.

He said, ‘This is because every arrest, seizure and asset forfeited by the criminal syndicates signifies innocent lives saved and communities protected either here in Nigeria or in other jurisdictions.’

Big Brother Naija Season 10 has officially crowned Imisioluwa Opeyemi Ayanwale, popularly known as Imisi, as its winner. The 23-year-old housemate captured the hearts of millions with her emotional openness, fiery personality, and resilience throughout the ‘Ten over Ten’ edition.

Here are five key things to know about Imisi:

1. Her real name is Opeyemi Ayanwale

The 23-year-old Imisi hails from Ibadan, Oyo State, and works as a fashion designer and aspiring actress. She is known for her vibrant personality and expressive nature, and she brought both emotion and entertainment to the house from day one.

2. Imisi won several tasks during the season

Throughout the season, Imisi proved her versatility by winning six major tasks, including the Guinness, Indomie, Munchit, Gordon, Terra, TravelBeta, and Lush hair, among others.

3. One of the most talked-about housemates

From emotional diary sessions to fiery confrontations, Imisi remained a central figure in the house. She openly discussed surviving rape at age 12 and a miscarriage during a past relationship, earning viewers’ empathy for her courage to be vulnerable on national television.

4. Mix of friendship, rivalry, and romance

Imisi’s journey wasn’t without drama; she clashed with Koyin and Rooboy during a heated kitchen fight but also shared close bonds with Kola and Isabella, creating moments that trended online. Her openness about liking multiple male housemates made her one of the season’s most unpredictable contestants.

5. She won N150 million worth of prizes

At the grand finale hosted by Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, Imisi was announced as the winner, with Dede as the first runner-up. She takes home N80 million in cash and, overall, N150 million worth of grand prizes.

The Nigerian music scene is about to witness a new wave of global energy as Olusola Badmus popularly known as Embassy officially brings M12 Records home with a star-studded listening party and label unveiling in Ibadan, Nigeria.

The atmosphere was electrifying and the spotlight firmly fixed on entrepreneur and business mogul Olusola Badmus, founder of M12 Records, as he hosted an exclusive listening party for one of his fast-rising stars, Brainyboy.

The highlight of the evening was the release of Brainyboy’s official debut album, aptly titled ‘MR Embassy.’ Held at the Lighthouse Club in Akobo, Ibadan, the event delivered an unforgettable experience as the crowd was thrilled by Brainyboy’s performance, leaving fans and guests entertained throughout the night.

Speaking about his passion and vision for music, M12 Records boss Olusola Badmus shared:

‘For me, music has always been more than sound – it’s culture, it’s emotion, and it’s connection. M12 Records is about giving artists the freedom to create while also providing them the structure to succeed globally.’

Registered in Nigeria, the United States, and the United Kingdom, M12 Records stands out as a global entertainment brand committed to bridging Nigerian creativity with international platforms. The label is fast establishing itself as a force, with a mission to empower artists, expand African music across borders, and drive collaborations with international stars.

The listening party itself became the talk of the town, attracting top media houses, newspapers, blogs, and entertainment outlets eager to capture the moment. Fans and industry stakeholders witnessed an evening that blended fresh sounds, raw talent, and the distinct vibes that M12 Records artistes are known for.

Reaffirming the label’s direction, Olusola Badmus added:

‘M12 Records is founded on authenticity and innovation. Our goal is to discover, produce, and showcase world-class talent capable of making a lasting impact on the global entertainment stage. Keep your eyes on M12 Records – this is just the beginning of something big.’

In recognition of his efforts, Olusola Badmus was honored with the award for ‘Best Grassroots Record Label’ by YorubaMovieGist.com. According to the platform, the award celebrates M12 Records’ outstanding contributions to the Nigerian entertainment industry and its growing influence at the grassroots level.

With a clear vision, a talented roster, and a commitment to innovation, M12 Records is carving a reputation as the home for bold, original voices in Afrobeats and beyond.

The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP ) in Edo State continued on Sunday as the faction (Legacy Group) loyal to Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Woke, elected its state working committee, headed by Barr. Nosa Ogieva.

Ogieva and 13 other members of the Edo PDP Executive who were sworn in during the party’s 2025 State Congress in Benin, promised to reunite members of the party, adding that PDP would soon begin to win elections again in the state.

While 11 of the members were returned unopposed, Tony Aziegbemi, Henry Tenebe and Victor Enoghama, were announced to have contested for Chairmanship, Secretary and Deputy State Chairmanship, respectively.

A total of 576 delegates from the 192 wards participated in the election.

Responding on behalf of the newly executive members, the state party Chairman, Barr. Nosa Ogieva, said their emergence marked a new chapter in Edo PDP.

He promised not to betray the party nor take it for granted, adding that his leadership would be repositioning and rebranding the party in Edo.

Ogieva sued for unity amongst the party members, maintaining that the loyalty of members is the bedrock of PDP.

Earlier in his opening remarks, Dan Orbih, said that the former Governor of the State, Godwin Obaseki, was responsible for the crisis in the party.

He alleged Obaseki quarreled with everybody he met in PDP, asserting that the poor performance of the party in the recently conducted by-elections showed how unpopular the PDP had become in Edo

Orbih urged the delegates to elect people with capacity that would reawaken the party in the state.

He carpeted an earlier statement issued by the other faction of the party, calling members to disregard the announcement for the State Congress.

He said ‘Just yesterday (Saturday), I saw a statement issued by some funny characters saying they are advising party members not to attend this event. Are you not here?

‘Those who don’t have any moral authority to speak on behalf of the party should keep their mouth shut.

‘As we prepare to elect our executive, I will appeal to you to vote for those with capacity to lead this party, not those who will sell out, not those who will deny members their legitimate right

‘As members of our great party. There is no doubt that PDP is going through a leadership crisis, both at the national level and several other states.

‘Let us not deceive ourselves for the first time in the history of our great party, we have elected governors of PDP and founding leaders, founding members of this party, leaving this party every day for one simple reason, failure of leadership.

‘Elected governors are living. Elected senators are living. Elected members of the House are living in Edo state, we know the root of our problem.

‘We had a united party where everybody related with one another as brothers and sisters, until Godwin Obasiki joined our party.

‘Obasiki destroyed our party. He sowed the seeds of discord, deep rooted seeds of discord in our party.

‘He sinned against the party. He sinned against the people. He sinned against the state.

Continuing, Orbih said ‘He came into the party and destroyed everything that was good in the party. Today, our party’s umbrella is shattered, torn, and we are here today to rebuild the party.

‘What used to put us together as a family was totally destroyed by obaseki. He fought every person except himself, and at the end, we are at a very disadvantaged position in the politics of Edo state.

Orbih described the other faction of the PDP as undertakers who he said were only praying for the party to collapse and then join the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Sample 1: ‘If Bola Ahmed Tinubu eventually becomes Nigeria’s next president, there is every possibility that he would entertain and address the complains of the Yoruba nation agitators.’ (Opinion: How Tinubu’s emergence as APC flagbearer may reduce.Opera News, 21 June, 2022)

Let’s note the word complains which occurs in the following context: ‘he would entertain and address the complains of the Yoruba nation agitators.’ The slot in which the word occurs certainly belongs to a noun. But is the word (complain) a noun? Not at all. Here lies the problem. The form is not a noun but a verb. The noun form is complaint. We now devote attention to illustrating the usage of the verb (complain) and the noun (complaint).

Now read the following sentences: 1) You cannot complain because you partly created the problem. 2) The man complains too often about food but he hardly gives his wife enough money for domestic matters. 3) Nigerians don’t want to pay taxes but complain about poor infrastructure. 4) Western nations often complain about the Nigerian democratic culture forgetting their sordid influence on our history. 5) You have a right to complain and we also have a right to ask you for a better alternative. 6) I would rather complain openly than grumble and backbite. 7) Christians are not to complain about their leaders. Rather, they are to pray for them and, where possible, counsel them. 8) Customers are already complaining about the reduction in the quality and quantity of our products. 9) Students have been complaining about poor quality of instruction. 10) The followers who complain too much about their leaders may lack leadership qualities. 11) Are you surprised that some people complain about God?

The noun form is complaint: 1) Your complaints are usually baseless. 2) The committee members will not entertain frivolous complaints. 3) All petitions and complaints must be accompanied by supporting documents. 4) The woman says she is sick and tired of her husband’s unending complaints about almost everything. 5) I have stopped complaining since my complaints have yielded no positive results. 6) We have lodged a formal complaint against the accountant regarding delay in payment of salaries. 7) The leaders will be forced to act when the complaints are becoming too frequent. 8) Your complaints are being addressed by appropriate authorities. 9) You should not allow your complaints to degenerate into insubordination. 10) Your complaints must be devoid of bitterness, hostility and hatred. 11) Their complaints have nothing to do with money. 12) Repeated and habitual complaints will wear the leaders out.

Do not say: My complains are many. Say: My complaints are many. Do not say: God hates complains. Say: God hates complaints. Do not say: Your complains are receiving attention. Say: Your complaints are receiving attention. Do not say: I don’t have any complain. Say: I don’t have any complaint. Do not say: This complain is unheard-of. Say: This complaint is unheard-of. Do not say: She has been repeating the same complain month after month. Say: She has been repeating the same complaint month after month.

Three other words-and their usage-are worth considering here. These are: refrain, restrain/restraint, and constrain/constraint. To refrain from doing something is to deliberately avoid doing it. Let’s read the following sentences: 1)Members of the public have been advised to refrain from making comments on the desirability or otherwise of the corporate existence of Nigeria. 2)Health officials have been advising residents to refrain from dumping refuse in waterways to avoid disastrous flooding. 3)Principals and headmasters have been warned to refrain from collecting unauthorized fees from students. 4)To avoid being misunderstood by people who are not familiar with the situation, I have refrained from making any pronouncement on the development. 5)Those who cannot refrain from talking are advised to leave the hall. 6)It is in his own interest to refrain from interacting with the controversial lady.

Please note that the word is a verb, and we have of necessity allowed it to occur consistently in the verbal slot. In addition, let us note that it occurs regularly with the particle from. The two words together form an indissoluble idiom.

Now restrain: When you restrain someone or yourself you prevent that person or yourself from doing something or acting in a particular way. The restraining may be physical or emotional. Let’s read the following sentences: 1)It was with great difficulty that I restrained myself from hitting him in the face. 2)She was boiling inside, and it was obvious she managed to restrain herself from making explosive remarks. 3)The man charged towards the policeman, intent on strangling him, but was restrained by two hefty men. 4)Tipsy and horny, it was a miracle that he managed to restrain himself from going the whole hog with the lady.5)We have a duty as Christians to restrain ourselves from doing anything that is antithetical to our faith. 6)There were already signs that he would soon grow violent, but this time he would restrain himself and avoid destroying the household utensils bought by his wife.

The noun form is restraint. Let’s read the following sentences: 1)Men are often advised to exercise restraint in their dealings with women. 2)In life, there are times for sensible and productive restraint, and there are times for freedom, complete, wholesome freedom. 3)Business activities call for wisdom, calm calculation, and restraint. 4)Seasoned diplomats know when to act swiftly and freely and when to exercise restraint. 5)One should be sensible enough to exercise restraint among strangers and in a foreign land. 6)As one grows older, one’s sense of restraint should increase. 7) A sound sense of restraint is usually a function of cultural education.

Next, we consider the verb constrain. A thing that constrains a person or another thing limits his/its action, freedom of action, development, forces him/it to do or not to do certain things. Let’s read the following sentences: 1)Family ties often constrain people from taking up jobs from particular locations. 2)Poverty constrains people’s educational attainment in Africa. 3)There should be laws to constrain parents to send their female children to school. 4 Citizens should be constrained by patriotism to report crime to the police. 5)Constrained by love, he often helps his wife in the kitchen. 6)I feel constrained by honour to confess my misdeeds openly. 7)Expansion of a farm is often constrained by availability of land and funds. 8)The prosperity of any business organization is constrained as much by financial and human resources as by the vision of the founding director(s).

The noun form is constraint. The following sentences illustrate its usage: 1)The association died a natural death as a result of financial constraints. 2)But for cultural constraints (such as what people would say, what would become of the children, etc)the marriage would have ended in divorce a long time ago. 3)Powerful as the presidency is, it is subject to the constraints of checks and balances. 4)There are constraints on the powers of the governor that guarantee that those powers are not abused. 5)Social constraints even in an overly patriarchal society like ours prevent husbands from acting irresponsibly. 6)Working within the constraints of limited resources, we can only expect modest achievements. 7)The constitution privides the needed constraints on the powers of public officials. 8)Every human being works within the constraint of the limited time available to him in life.

Big Brother has officially unveiled N80 million as the grand prize for the winner of Big Brother Naija Season 10.

Ahead of Sunday night’s live finale, the remaining housemates were shown how portions of the prize money were spent throughout the season.

During the season brother introduced a red telephone twist and every request made via the red telephone was deducted from the prize pool, a revelation that left the finalists stunned.

It was also revealed that Kaybobo’s immunity, which secured him a spot in the finale, was purchased using funds from the collective prize money.

Throughout the season, the prize fund fluctuated several times due to these deductions. However, the housemates managed to restore it to N80 million before the show’s conclusion.

The Pro-chancellor and chairman Governing Council of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba has lauded teachers in commemoration of this year’s Teacher Day.

Ndoma-Egba, in a press release on Sunday specifically expressed appreciation to lecturers of FUOYE and teachers elsewhere for the lofty roles that they play in nation-building.

According to the statement, the theme of this year’s National Teachers Day, Recasting Teachjng as a Collaborative Profession, ‘calls us to recognize the education thrives in a community because knowledge expands when shared and innovation advances through cooperation.’

He said further that teachers should be encouraged to do much because, ‘the progress of a society is only secured when educators work in concert across disciplines, institutions and borders.’

The statement reads further: ‘Collaboration is the force multiples impact, ensuring that education remains resilient, equitable, and inclusive.

‘Together, we must shape FUOYE into a university of global standing: an institution where knowledge produces wisdom, where a commitment to advancing society drives our research and innovation, and where leadership is defined by integrity and character.’

The Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Dr. Pius Akutah has revealed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu returned the Nigerian Port Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA) bill without assenting to it due to issues concerning the mandate section of the Bill and also the 1 percent Freight Stabilization fee.

Speaking over the weekend with maritime Reporters on the sideline of the visit of the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Arsenio Dominguez to Lagos, Dr. Pius Akutah however revealed that the issues surrounding the NPERA Bill have been addressed and the Bill is currently at the National Assembly for assessment before proceeding back to the Presidency for assent.

According to Dr. Pius Akutah, ‘The NPERA bill was returned by Mr. President to the office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice for advisory due to issues raised over the mandate section of the Bill, 1 percent Freight Stabilisation fee and also the new role of the Shippers Council as Port Economic Regulator.

‘But those issues have been clarified by the Council. We met with the Attorney General of the Federation and we have looked at those issues one after the other.

‘Those issues created a little bit of confusion but that has been resolved because the Gazette of the Presidential Order of 2015 and the regulations of 2015 have all been handed over to the Minister of Justice.

‘So, they have now looked at it again to see that the Council mandate has changed by the order of the president appointing the Shipper’s Council as the Port Economic Regulator.

‘So, those aspects that needed to be corrected have been corrected and the bill has gone back to the National Assembly on its way back to Mr. President for assent.

‘There was a little bit hitch but we have overcome that hitch. So, it is now on track heading back to Mr. President. But the National Assembly still have to look at it because of those corrections that were made.

‘You can’t correct a bill that has been passed without the National Assembly looking at it. The corrections are not so many, just a few of them regarding the mandate and then regarding the 1 percent freight fee.

‘The Bill is still with the National Assembly. You know that they have been on recess. They were supposed to resume last week but I think they moved it forward.

‘As soon as the National Assembly resumes sitting, they will look at this quickly and then do all the corrections and send it back.’

Shedding more light on the corrections done on the NPERA Bill, the Shippers Council Chief Executive explained that, ‘On mandate, the issue was whether the Council has the mandate to become the Port Economic Regulator. That mandate was given to the Council under the Presidential Order of 2015. This fact was not very well known to the Ministry of Justice at the point when the Bill came back to them.

‘Also, the regulations of 2015, which has copiously given the nitty-gritty of what the Port Economic Regulator will do, was also not known at the time when the Bill got to the Ministry. So, the Ministry of Justice called us and we provided all those details to them.

Preventive healthcare remains one of the most effective strategies for reducing global disease burdens. Nigerian nurse researcher Amarachi Igwilo has built her career around this vision, with studies spanning cancer prevention, infection control, maternal health, and, more recently, the intersection of maternal health and mental wellbeing.

Her recent study, Assessment of Knowledge and Utilization of Malaria Prevention Strategies Among Pregnant Women in Ogun State, exposed the gaps between awareness and actual preventive practices. While most women understood malaria’s dangers, far fewer consistently used insecticide-treated nets or adhered to preventive drug regimens.

‘Prevention is only effective when it is practiced. Our findings show that barriers are not just medical but also social and economic,’ Igwilo explained.

Maternal health specialists see her work as timely. ‘Malaria remains a leading cause of death for pregnant women. Amarachi’s research offers policy-relevant insights that could strengthen Nigeria’s maternal health programs,’ said Dr. Emmanuel Adesina, an obstetrician.

In addition to physical risks, Igwilo has raised awareness about the mental health pressures faced by expectant mothers. Stress, depression, and anxiety during pregnancy often go undetected in Nigeria’s maternal care system, despite their long-term effects on both mothers and infants. Her preventive health model calls for integrating psychosocial support into existing malaria and maternal health programs, ensuring that women are treated holistically.

Each year, an estimated 11 million pregnancies in sub-Saharan Africa are exposed to malaria, leading to maternal anemia, stillbirth, and neonatal mortality. The World Health Organization recommends a combination of preventive drugs (IPTp-SP) and insecticide-treated nets, yet uptake remains uneven across communities.

Beyond malaria, Igwilo has contributed to cancer and infection prevention research that has been cited internationally. Her cross-cutting approach-linking disease prevention with mental health resilience-reflects a broader movement in public health nursing: building systems that protect both body and mind.

With these multi-faceted contributions, Igwilo is emerging as part of a new wave of Nigerian nurse researchers pushing for policies that recognize prevention not just as a medical necessity but as a social and psychological one.