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The Rivers State University in Port Harcourt is set to host the second edition of the international conference/workshop of the Development Communication Research Association of Nigeria (DECRAN).

DECRAN’s Convener and President, Dr. Blessing N. Chinweobo-Onuoha, announced this in a statement yesterday by the Director of Media and Publicity, Dr. Chekwube Nzomiwu.

The statement said the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obipi, will also be the chief host of the conference slated for November 19 to 21, while the Dean in the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, Prof. Richard N. Amadi, will be the host.

The statement added: ‘The Head, Department of Development Communication Studies, Rivers State University, Dr. Itieke-Idamieba Harry, is the co-host, while Dr. Sarah C. Joe chairs the Local Organising Committee (LOC).

‘Prof. Godwin B. Okon of the Department of Development Communication Studies, Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, University of Port Harcourt, is the keynote speaker, while Prof. Christopher Ochonogor of the Department of Journalism and Media Studies, University of Port Harcourt, will serve as the lead paper presenter.

‘The theme of the conference is: Digital inclusion and the Frontiers of Development Communication, while the sub-themes cover Development Communication and Digital Innovation, Education and Learning, Arts, Humanities and Cultural Communication, as well as Social Sciences and Governance.

‘The topics to be discussed include Artificial Intelligence, Big Data and the Future of Development Messaging, Digital Inclusion and Communication Access in Rural Communities, Information and Communication Technologies for Development: Trends and Impacts, and Community Media, Podcasting and Citizen Journalism.

‘Also to be discussed are: Mobile Health and Behaviour Change Strategies, Combating Health Misinformation in Digital Spaces, Human Centred Design in Health Promotion Campaigns, Indigenous Communication and Health Education, Telehealth, Trust and Communication Ethics, Digital Learning Platforms and Access to Quality Education, Storytelling and Creative Arts in Development Narratives, Communication, Policy Advocacy and Democratic Participation, among others.’

Chinweobo-Onuoha stated that the conference would be open to all academics and professionals, regardless of their discipline.

She added: ‘There will be brainstorming sessions on the chosen topics at the conference. Our association (DECRAN) stands as a pioneering force in the realm of communication research in the country, having produced two journals since our maiden international conference hosted by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), in November last year.’

According to the programme of events, the opening ceremony/plenary session will be held on November 20, to be followed by the annual general meeting on November 21.

This year’s conference is being organised by DECRAN in collaboration with the Department of Development Communication Studies, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt.

After six years of rigorous research, scientists at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) have revealed that although most herbal medicines circulating in Nigeria are safe for consumption, their effectiveness in treating diseases remains largely unproven. The findings, unveiled last week during a media briefing by the Centre for Research in Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine at NIMR, Yaba, highlight a growing gap between the popularity of herbal products and the scientific evidence supporting their therapeutic claims.

According to Dr. Oluwagbemiga Olanrewaju Aina, Deputy Director of Research in the Department of Biochemistry and Nutrition at NIMR, the conclusion emerged from a comprehensive safety and efficacy evaluation of 46 herbal formulations conducted since 2019. ‘All the 46 herbal products evaluated over the last six years were found to be safe in toxicity studies using animal models. However, none of them passed efficacy tests,’ Aina disclosed.

The tested formulations-ranging from painkillers and anti-malarials to anti-COVID and cancer remedies-were subjected to acute and sub-acute toxicity studies, confirming that they posed no harm at standard dosages. Some of the products examined included Kampe Bitters, Divine Herbal Eye Medicine, Yusram Colon Cleanser, COVID Organics Herbal Tea from Madagascar, and Vernonia Antiviral Herb. While none of the products demonstrated harmful effects, Aina cautioned that safety alone does not equate to effectiveness. ‘Just because a product doesn’t harm you doesn’t mean it works,’ he warned. ‘There is a growing trend of herbalists making unverified claims-and, in some cases, adulterating their preparations with conventional drugs.’

Aina, who is also an Associate Professor of Pharmacology at the Eko University of Medicine and Health Sciences, noted that the Centre played a key role during the COVID-19 pandemic by evaluating several herbal and pharmaceutical formulations, including Virucidine, Ivermectin, and protein-based immune therapies. However, none of the trials demonstrated statistically significant clinical benefits over standard treatments.

He urged herbal medicine producers to go beyond anecdotal evidence by conducting efficacy studies and identifying the active ingredients in their formulations. ‘We advise producers of herbal medicines to isolate and characterise active ingredients in their preparations. More importantly, they must demonstrate that these ingredients work-not just that they don’t kill,’ he said. Aina also called for greater investment in research infrastructure, better access to laboratory equipment, and the establishment of standardis ed animal facilities to support preclinical studies. Beyond its herbal research, the Centre has in the past six years evaluated 46 herbal medicinal products, conducted multiple preclinical and clinical trials, and trained over 500 industrial trainees, 150 project students, 50 interns, and 80 PhD students. It also played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s COVID-19 response and maintains collaborations with several universities locally and abroad.

Despite these achievements, Aina noted ongoing challenges, including limited funding, inadequate laboratory infrastructure, and the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance, which remains an active focus of his broader research. He concluded by reaffirming the importance of integrating traditional knowledge with modern science. ‘Traditional medicine remains a vital part of African healthcare culture,’ he said. ‘But science must validate tradition-not replace it. Herbal therapy has its place, but it must be backed by evidence. That is the only way forward.’

Former Special Duties Minister and Deputy Chairman of the National Convention Committee, Tanimu Turaki said the 2025 elective National Convention of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) will be the best ever convention to be organised by any political party in the country.

Turaki spoke just as National Publicity Secretary of the party, Debo Ologunagba said the Ibadan convention was critical to the sustenance of democracy in Nigeria, which he said explains the enthusiasm and the interest being shown Nigerians across board.

Speaking at the inaugural of the Security sub-committee for the convention, the former Minister said the leadership of the party and the National Convention Planning Committee will leave any stone unturned in ensuring that whatever that can be done is done to make the convention worth the while.

He said ‘The success of the Convention is 85% contingent on what members of this committee will do in Ibadan. Security is key. Security is fundamental.

‘We are hopeful that at the end of the day, will come up with a convention that other political parties will see as a benchmark for holding their own conventions’.

Chairman of the Committee and Governor of Taraba state, Agbu Kefas said the job of the committee will be to ensure a hutch free convention by gathering intelligence and working hand in hand with the security agencies.

Speaking through Senator Austin Akobundu, he said the committee will ensure that the convention devoid of incursions from undesirable elements that will like to physically truncate the exercise.

Addressing journalists, Ologunagba said Nigerians were excited and are eager to know what the party is doing, adding that ‘we eager to ensure that we put ourselves together as a party, because that is the only way that we can guarantee the sustenance of democracy.

‘Since 1999, Nigerians can make a determination about where to stay. We had 16 years of unbroken governance by the PDP. Where we had what I always refer to and many Nigerians believed that to be the glorious era in development and hope in this country.

‘Before that time, before 1999. It was difficult for this country to have recognition worldwide. We were like a paral state when the PDP came on board and set the country back on the path of development. We paid off our debts. We had double-digit GDP growth. We had inflation contained. We have policies that are invested in people in their human capital development.

‘We had economy that was number one in Africa and by the time the PDP left government in 2015, we had over a $600 billion economy. Nigeria was then the number one destination for foreign capital investment and all of that has been rolled back in the last 10 years or so.’

The House of Representatives of the State of South Carolina in the United States has honoured the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, with African Leadership Public Service Excellence Award for Solid Minerals Development and Sectoral Reform.

The U.S. lawmakers said the award was in recognition of his exemplary contributions to governance, public service, and reforms in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector.

The honour was conferred on him during the African Leadership Public Service Excellence Awards, organised by Africa Leadership Magazine at the Proshansky Auditorium, City University of New York, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

A statement yesterday in Abuja by his Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori, said Dr. Rosalyn Henderson-Myers, a member of the parliament who presented the award, applauded the minister’s transformational leadership in repositioning Nigeria’s mining industry for global competitiveness.

The statement noted that the organisers of the award also announced that the South Carolina legislature had passed a formal motion of recognition, signed by the Speaker, G. Murrel-Smith Jr., and Clerk, Charles Reid, acknowledging Alake’s distinguished record as a journalist, strategist, and public administrator.

Presenting the award, Henderson-Myers said: ‘We, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, commend you on your contributions to Nigerian politics and wish you success in all your future endeavours ‘

In the citation presented by Aaron T. Manaigo, former Republican State Senator from New York, the lawmaker chronicled Alake’s four-decade journey across journalism, politics, and public administration.

‘Dr. Alake began his professional journey as a writer and columnist before serving as Adviser on Information to the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola.

He later worked with the pro-democracy movements that birthed Nigeria’s Fourth Republic and served as the Special Adviser on Information to then-Governor Bola Tinubu, now President of Nigeria Today, as Minister, he has redefined leadership in the solid minerals sector,’ Manaigo said.

Receiving the award, Alake thanked the organisers and the South Carolina legislature for the recognition, promising not to lower the standards of governance and accountability that earned him the honour.

‘This recognition further strengthens our resolve to continue transforming Nigeria’s solid minerals sector through transparency, innovation, and value addition,’ he said.

Lagos State Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu yesterday said the state has constructed over 10,000 housing units in the last six years.

The governor made this known during the inauguration of the first phase of the Lagos State Housing Estate in Ajara, Badagry, marking the 24th housing project completed under his administration.

The estate was renamed by Governor Sanwo-Olu in honour of the late former Head of Service, Sunny Akinsanya Ajose.

He described the 420 new homes as a major milestone, which underscored his administration’s continued commitment to providing decent and affordable shelter across all income levels, with a specific focus on decentralising development outside the city centre.

‘As we near the end of this administration, our commitment to closing the housing gap remains strong, focusing on smart infrastructure investments that push development beyond just the city center. We are also working to complete four additional housing schemes across the state, which including, Lagos State Housing Estate, Ibeshe Phase II (192 units), Egan-Igando Mixed Housing Scheme, Clusters 2 and 3 (587 units), Epe Housing Scheme, Ita Marun (112 units) and LagosHOMS Sangotedo Phase II, Eti-Osa (524 units). Each of these developments highlights our strong belief that every Lagosian, no matter where they live or their income level, deserves a place they can truly call home,’ he said.

The governor said Badagry has reaped the benefits of targeted investments in road infrastructure, public hospitals, schools, and other vital facilities.

He said: ‘These initiatives have opened up this historic town to the world, positioning it as a rising hotspot for eco-tourism, culture, and commerce. This particular project has created over 1,300 jobs, both directly and indirectly, during its construction phase. Even more jobs will come from managing the facilities and other estate services once everything is fully occupied. Although this initiative was started by the previous administration, we have breathed new life and purpose into it – transforming the gateway to this great city and enhancing the newly expanded Lagos-Badagry Expressway.’

To further bridge the housing deficit, Governor Sanwo-Olu announced the groundbreaking for Phase II of the Ajara project. This new phase will feature high-rise buildings of at least seven stories, a strategic move to ‘maximize our land resources’ and accommodate more families.

‘We take pride in aligning our efforts with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Housing Agenda, aiming to provide affordable and sustainable homes for our citizens. We’re also in talks with financing organizations eager to partner with Lagos State to deliver mass housing and introduce innovative solutions that make home ownership more attainable and accessible. To enhance affordability, we plan to subsidize the selling prices of the housing units. Twenty percent of the homes will be set aside for members of the Medical Guild, the Nigerian Union of Teachers (Lagos State Chapter), and other public and private sector unions. Additionally, public servants will receive rebates as a token of appreciation for their dedicated service to our state,’ he stated.

Commissioner for Housing, Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, said the Ajara housing project was a major step toward the state’s housing goals under the T.H.E.M.E.S Plus agenda.

According to him, the estate, which occupies 18.9 hectares of land, consists of 35 blocks of 12-flat buildings, making a total of 420 units.

He added that each block included one, two, and three-bedroom semi-furnished apartments with kitchens, cabinets, wardrobes, and lighting fixtures.

Akinderu-Fatai explained that ‘the estate also has roads, drainage systems, car parks, external electrification, water and sewage treatment plants, and landscaping.’

He said: ‘Mr Governor, Sir, this is indeed another milestone in our collective journey towards increasing the quantum of modern, affordable, and sustainable housing for the good people of Lagos State. This moment is both a celebration of progress and a promise for the future – a beacon of hope for families and a symbol of our unwavering commitment to improving lives. The project commenced in the year 2013 by the New Towns Development Authority (NTDA) and was later transferred to the Ministry of Housing for completion in the Year 2017. The present administration under your leadership directed that the project should be resuscitated and that the ministry must ensure its completion. We are happy to carry out your vision of not living this project the way you met it, Sir.

‘Mr Governor Sir, your vision is to make Lagos State livable and sustainable. This dream needs to be energized with a plea to further intervene on behalf of the low income earners. It has been tough sustaining the infrastructure and maintaining common areas in our estates. This is majorly due to the increase in energy cost to power the sewage and water treatment system. The cost has been huge and most residents have found it difficult to pay. We, therefore, plea for urgent realization of plans to install solar system to power estate infrastructure and take them off the national grid. We acknowledge your love for low income segment of the society and especially your beloved workers and on their behalf we seek for the construction of more schemes. The ministry is ready to immediately commence work on Ajara Phase 2, The Epe phase 2, Ipaja Command scheme as well as Imota. This will help to further put your legacy on affordable housing development on solid ground.

Mr Governor, Sir, history will definitely be kind to your leadership for the provision of liveable and serene environment to those that you have been able to get to the housing ladder at prices that a far below the construction cost. We thank you on their behalf,’ the commissioner said.

Lagos State Government is set to unveil the Omi Eko Project, a landmark clean energy and innovation-driven initiative designed to transform water transportation across the state. The official launch will take place at the Five Cowries Terminal, Falomo, on Friday, October 17.

The event, being coordinated by the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), marks another defining moment in Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s vision of a sustainable, technology-powered, and environmentally responsible transport system for Africa’s largest city.

According to LASWA, the initiative represents ‘a pivotal milestone in the state’s unwavering commitment to sustainable development, cutting-edge water transportation, and smart city innovation.’

The high-profile launch will draw dignitaries, top government officials, development partners, and key stakeholders for an unveiling that will include keynote addresses, a virtual presentation on the Omi Eko Project, and the formal inauguration by Governor Sanwo-Olu.

Poised to redefine the future of water transportation in Lagos, the Omi Eko Project will deploy more than 78 high-capacity electric ferries, digital ticketing systems, intelligent terminals, and advanced safety technology, ushering in a new era of efficient and eco-friendly commuting across the state’s waterways.

It also aims to reduce travel times, improve passenger comfort, and ease pressure on the road network while promoting clean energy adoption and environmental sustainability.

LASWA said the choice of the Five Cowries Terminal as the launch venue underscores its central role in Lagos’s intermodal transport network and the broader Lagos Urban Mobility Plan, which integrates road, rail, and water systems for seamless movement.

The project will not only transform public transportation but also open new economic corridors along the waterways, creating jobs and stimulating commerce.

Union Bank of Nigeria has hosted an informal yet engaging meet-and-greet with leading media professionals at its headquarters in, Lagos.

The event, held at SpaceNXT-the Bank’s purpose-built co-creation hub for innovators and creators-was designed to provide a relaxed platform for fostering personal connections and strengthening collaboration between the Bank and its media partners.

Unlike a formal press briefing, the gathering created a convivial atmosphere for open dialogue, underscoring Union Bank’s recognition of the media’s vital role in shaping public discourse and amplifying the Bank’s purpose-driven mission.

In attendance were senior members of the Bank’s leadership, including the Executive Director, Corporate Banking (Lagos and West), Taiwo Shote, Chief Brand and Marketing Officer, Olufunmilola Aluko; and Head of Strategy and Planning, Tosin Ibikunle.

Speaking during the event, Olufunmilola Aluko highlighted the essence of the occasion, noting that it was primarily about human connection.

‘Union Bank has been around for 108 years, and we’ve seen it all-from telegram banking to digital wallets, from handwritten ledgers to AI-driven analytics. But through all that change, one constant has remained: the media.

We wanted to create a space that is unhurried and human, where we can meet without the weight of deadlines or the formality of press statements. Behind those exchanges are real people who share a deep commitment to storytelling, truth, and impact,’ she said.

Echoing her sentiment, Tosin Ibikunle reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to transparency and partnership as it prepares for its next phase of growth.

‘Union Bank has diligently strengthened its systems and service experience. As we roll out new initiatives, we look forward to working closely with the media to tell our story with clarity, accuracy, and impact,’ Ibikunle added.

The event concluded with a guided tour of Stallion Plaza and a lively networking session, reflecting Union Bank’s ongoing commitment to building authentic, human-centred relationships beyond formal corporate interactions.

Union Bank remains steadfast in its mission to foster trust, transparency, and meaningful partnerships with the media and other stakeholders as it continues to support customers and contribute to Nigeria’s economic growth.

The Patron of the International Friendship League (IFL), Ikorodu, Lagos State, Ade Adekoya, an enngineer, has highlighted pathways to nation-building, sustaining the economy and a greater country.

He spoke at a Special Independence Day celebration organised by the IFL on the Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH) campus in Ikorodu, Lagos to commemorate the nation’s 65th Independence anniversary.

The event had the theme: ‘Beyond Independence: Living in True Freedom.’

Adekoya described corruption as a hydra-headed problem that has dragged the nation down, stressing that the problem was not unsolvable, but there must be strong will on the part of political leaders to address it across all strata of government.

He said: ‘Corruption is a hydra-headed problem that has dragged our nation down. When Nigeria was 20, that was in 1980, graduates were recruited from the university and they were also offered brand new cars. And also when Nigeria was 30, that was in 1990, job offers were a common thing in the newspaper. Every day we had that. Now, what led to the reversal?

This reverse order was occasioned by institutionalised corruption. And for corruption to be stemmed, it has to be an issue that will be addressed from being exemplary. And that will start from across the three strata of government, the executive, the legislative, and then the judiciary. Because the young ones, even right from primary school, they must have something that they will look up to, that will make them know that they have a civic responsibility to the nation. So, in a nutshell, the problem of corruption is not unsolvable, but there must be that will on the part of the political leaders.’

The expert said for Nigeria to experience real freedom, there must be moral rebirth in terms of contentment, in terms of love for neighbours, and then in terms of nation-building attitude and patriotism.

On strengthening the economy, he said: ‘Anyway, the reality is that there are factors that will contribute to making this work. One of those factors is making energy accessible and also making energy affordable. If energy is affordable, if it is accessible, and when this key element of the economy is there, it will serve as a stimulus to economic growth. Because once the energy aspect of the nation is addressed, you are going to have major investors who will serve as the key players in the economy and that will give room for employment. When the employment level increases, people will have money to spend.’

The event featured a discourse segment where experts from diverse fields spoke on physical freedom, financial freedom and spiritual freedom. They emphasised the need for citizens to be free in the three aspects, adding that people have knowledge but lack the willpower to apply it. They noted that citizens can live in true freedom if they imbibed godly virtues.

A prayer session was held, while guests were treated to music to enliven the atmosphere.

Every deadly storm starts with a drizzle. Thus, Nigerians must exercise greater caution in their civic agitation, lest they are slaughtered as sacrificial lambs by rights activists baiting a revolutionary flood.

Let us be guided by the parable of the maleficent rainmaker, who summons the rain from his safe spot at the mountaintop, knowing only the valleys below will get submerged in flood.

Right now, it is pouring slogans and expletives at the summit of Nigeria’s civic space. Leading the proceedings are civic actors luring Nigerians to frolic in their rub-a-dub of rage. Think of them as witch-doctors inciting the populace into a primordial dance with unknown gods; when the beat segues to a bloody tempo of rage, they will disappear without a trace. As the consequences manifest, no magical chant will save us.

Every revolution, in the end, manifests with a torrent of storms: protracted anarchy, maniacal rape of women and children, ethnoreligious conflict, and widespread disillusionment. They will not tell you it’s a trap.

Any patriot inciting you to violent insurrection must be seen and treated as an enemy of the people. There is a reason the ‘woke’ activist affects a dramatic rage tailored for camera lights. His visions of social justice are often conceived, like a blind Homer, fiddling epic arcs of cinematic light. Always camera-ready, his every thought and action seem streamlined for media coverage.

This is their familiar modus operandi: a failed politician, NGO-entrepreneur or crusading journalist likens himself to a rights activist cum revolutionary. His followers call him a truth-sayer and the voice of the youth. Thus, several youths idolise him. He is the romanticised revolutionary, who transfigures by patriotic ecstasy and defeats all odds hurled at him by the predatory ruling class.

To achieve this, he assures them that Nigeria must implode and, through that implosion, welcome him as the messiah who would rescue all from the stranglehold of the incumbent political class. But for a snag, this romanticised revolutionary is also a predator.

His activism is funded, inspired by shady non-profits and diplomatic actors, and supported from the war rooms of intelligence agencies abroad and foreign consulates on Nigerian soil.

Like a situational hero sculpted of spunk and spittle, this self-styled patriot-activist invites the ambling spectator and spiritless wanderer to admire his votive rant against the incumbent political class. No doubt, there is a lot to accuse every incumbent government of. History, by default, absolves him of his righteous rage, as Nigeria wilts to policy failure, unemployment, nepotism, farmer-herdsman conflict, organised crime, ethnoreligious carnage, terrorism – all ushering the country to the precipice. Nonetheless, the ageing leadership hold tenaciously to power, never letting go. When they do let go, they reinsert themselves via stooges, their children and sworn associates.

This is what the revolutionnaire promises to dispel. In his world, citizenry angst and disillusionment with the ruling class are frantically poked into patriotic rage. Thus, he turns disgruntled citizens into pawns. And this is how he creates a cult-following. It’s frantic populism at its finest.

In time, there is a split. There is always a split, as the masses soon find out, as they did during the Arab Spring, that regime change through violent protest is never what it’s cracked up to be.

Revolutions throw up hierarchies, thus new castes are dramatised in the noisy climax of every sloganeer. The castes are scary. Rather than sound off on a fallacy, Nigerian youths will do well to sensitise themselves to a more visionary, peaceful revolution, founded on altruistic ideals. And this brings us to the quality of youth mooting #RevolutionNow, #10DaysofRage, among others.

Federal interventions can play a critical role in state accountability; state access to local and international funds must be tied to certain performance benchmarks in delivering public services and meeting financial obligations. Poor-performing states should see reductions in allocations or a complete loss of aid, with those funds redirected to responsible local governments or projects.

President Tinubu’s bid to decentralise power by strengthening local governments with more control over statutory funds is laudable, but even this measure seems dead on delivery, no thanks to sabotage by state governors.

Yet, while the ruling class has much to answer for, the citizenry, especially the more literate and insightful among us, must display greater tact and caution in our push for social justice. Journalists and rights activists, in particular, must desist from inciting the populace and inflaming the polity with partisan views and fabrications.

They must understand that the dubious demagogues pulling their strings-those who lost at the 2023 elections-have second and third addresses abroad. If Nigeria implodes, they will flee, leaving us to bear the brunt of the chaos they helped incite.

And no foreign intervention is worth our attention if it comes seeded with carnage. Nigerians must wholeheartedly refute and avoid the discursive mechanisms through which they seek public support for the cause – be it #10DaysofRage, #RevolutionNow, #EndSARS or #OurMumuDonDo – their language of revolt often buries the possibility of citizen death and a descent to worse conditions of living.

Of course, Nigerians possess the inalienable right to protest against perceived oppression and governance failure. But whenever and wherever this must be done, it must be done right. The language of civic activism must never be used as a political and cultural tool to validate and make mass atrocities socially acceptable.

In Nigeria, we have a peculiar national reflex whenever fever strikes. The body heats up, the joints ache, and without missing a beat, we declare: ‘Na malaria and typhoid.’ Then comes the familiar ritual – a quick dash to the nearest pharmacy, a handful of antimalarial and antibiotic pills swallowed in faith, and a silent prayer for relief. It’s so deeply woven into our culture that questioning it feels almost like heresy.

But here’s the uncomfortable truth: this habit is hurting us – draining our pockets, endangering lives, and eroding confidence in our health system. In most homes, fever is automatically equated with malaria. When it persists after a few days of self-medication, we ‘upgrade’ the diagnosis to malaria plus typhoid – a combination that sounds serious enough to justify stronger, often inappropriate drugs. This do-it-yourself approach is not only dangerous; it’s scientifically flawed. Fever is not a disease. It’s a symptom – your body’s way of sounding the alarm that something is wrong. That ‘something’ could be malaria, yes, but it could also be dengue, urinary tract infection, pneumonia, or even non-infectious conditions like autoimmune disorders or cancers.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), only a fraction of fevers in malaria-endemic regions are actually caused by malaria. Yet in Nigeria, we’ve turned malaria into the default explanation for every spike in body temperature. The result? Thousands spend money treating the wrong illness while the real culprit silently worsens. And by habitually pairing malaria with typhoid, we’ve created a perfect storm of medical confusion – overusing antimalarial drugs and abusing antibiotics like ampiclox, ciprofloxacin, and ceftriaxone ‘just to be safe.’ In the process, we are breeding drug resistance, masking real diagnoses, and putting our health on the line.

This widespread misuse of drugs carries grave and far-reaching consequences. First, we are breeding resistance. Both bacteria and malaria parasites are getting smarter-mutating, adapting, and finding ways to survive our strongest medicines. The pills that once cured effortlessly are now losing their power, leaving doctors with fewer options when infections strike. Then there’s the sheer waste of resources. Every year, families spend thousands of naira treating illnesses they don’t actually have, while the real cause of the fever quietly worsens. A child could be battling sepsis, appendicitis, or even early meningitis, yet because everyone around insists it’s ‘malaria and typhoid,’ the correct diagnosis often comes too late-sometimes after irreversible damage has been done.

Let’s be clear: typhoid fever is not just any fever. It is a specific bacterial infection caused by Salmonella typhi and spread through contaminated food and water. But here’s the catch-most of the so-called ‘typhoid’ diagnoses we hear about are built on shaky ground. The popular Widal test, still used by many laboratories across Nigeria, is notoriously unreliable. It often produces false positives, wrongly indicating typhoid even when none exists. The more accurate test-a blood culture-can pinpoint the bacteria with precision, but it’s rarely performed because it costs more and requires better laboratory infrastructure.

In the past, it made sense to suspect malaria whenever a fever appeared. Malaria was everywhere, and most fevers were indeed caused by the mosquito-borne parasite. But the story has changed. Urbanisation, improved mosquito control, and the widespread use of insecticide-treated nets have reduced malaria transmission in many Nigerian cities. Unfortunately, the myth has outlived the reality. Today, respiratory infections, viral illnesses, and foodborne diseases account for a growing share of fevers that people still attribute to malaria. This false assumption delays proper care and leads to needless suffering. Take viral fevers like dengue or influenza-they don’t respond to malaria drugs. And bacterial infections need specific antibiotics, not the random combinations people often take ‘just in case.’ The only responsible path now is to test before treating.

Public health experts have long championed the World Health Organisation’s ‘Test, Treat, Track’ (T3) strategy for malaria control. Test: Confirm malaria using a Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) or through microscopy. Treat: Only administer antimalarial drugs when malaria is confirmed. Track: Keep accurate records to monitor patient outcomes and strengthen surveillance. But in Nigeria, the first step is often skipped. People treat before they test-and in many cases, never test at all. The result is a dangerous guessing game where patients lose money, precious time, and sometimes their lives. Fever becomes a roulette wheel, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.

Nigeria is staring down the barrel of a silent epidemic – antibiotic resistance. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) warns that drug-resistant infections could soon kill more Nigerians every year than HIV, malaria and tuberculosis combined. Every time we swallow antibiotics without a prescription, we help bacteria evolve – teaching them how to outsmart our strongest medicines. Doctors are already facing ‘superbugs’ – bacteria that no longer respond to common antibiotics. Ordinary infections like pneumonia, urinary tract infections, or wounds could once again become deadly. The clock is ticking, and our reckless drug habits are helping the enemy grow stronger.

It’s time to change course. Stop assuming. Start testing. Don’t buy drugs blindly. Visit a clinic, get tested, and let results guide your treatment. A simple malaria Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) or typhoid blood culture could make all the difference. Say no to self-medication. Pharmacists are not doctors, and neighbours are not health advisers. Resist the temptation to demand ‘malaria and typhoid drugs.’ Instead, insist on a test or professional referral. Eat and drink clean. Typhoid thrives in dirty water and poorly handled food. Wash your hands, boil water, and avoid roadside meals exposed to dust and flies.

Always finish prescribed doses. Stopping midway because you ‘feel better’ breeds resistance and endangers everyone. Finally, government must act. Pharmacies and patent medicine stores should not dispense antibiotics or antimalarials without test results. The long-term payoff – fewer resistant infections and lives saved – far outweighs any inconvenience. So, the next time fever strikes, pause. Test first. Think first. Treat right.