Cross: How I saw my fiancee’s spirit in heaven before we met

Ex Big Brother Naija star, Ikechukwu Okonkwo, better known as Cross, has opened up about the spiritual encounter that convinced him his fiancée was destined to be his wife.

In an exclusive chat with Saturday Beats, the reality TV star shared that he first met his partner not on earth, but in a divine revelation.

‘When I had that encounter with God last year, I also saw her spirit in heaven,’ Cross said. ‘She winked at me. That’s how I knew she was the one. It’s something God has ordained. It’s all about timing.’

For Cross, who rose to fame in BBNaija Season Six, his love story feels nothing short of miraculous.

He revealed that when he finally met his fiancée in Abuja, he instantly recognised something familiar about her, though they had never spoken before.

‘I met her in church,’ he recalled with a smile. ‘She was standing outside after service, waiting for her sisters and cousins. I was in the car with my sister and a friend, and I pointed her out, saying, ‘Look at that tall girl, she’s so beautiful.’ My friend told me to go say hi. I was shy, but I went over. We exchanged pleasantries and numbers – and here we are today.’

Beyond the initial attraction, Cross said what truly drew him to her was her character and her faith.

‘She’s sweet, calm, and calculated. She loves God deeply – she can pray and fast. That’s a quality I’ve always wanted in a woman. I know if anything ever happens, she’ll take care of my home and family. She’s just like my mum – capable, caring, and beautiful inside and out.’

The former reality star described his relationship as one built on faith, patience, and spiritual grounding – lessons he said he had to learn the hard way.

‘In my past relationships, communication and patience were big problems. I didn’t understand God’s principles then like I do now. But this time, everything feels different. There’s peace. God is at the centre.’

Cross said he had long believed his life’s journey – including his love life – was divinely mapped out.

‘When I was younger, I saw myself at 40, 50, and 60 in a dream. I saw the woman I would marry – tall, light-skinned, beautiful. I didn’t see her face clearly, but my fiancée embodies all those features. When I met her, my spirit felt at peace.’

For Cross, that peace is proof enough. He believes his love story is not just romantic – it’s a testament to divine timing.

‘God showed me who she was long before I met her,’ he said simply. ‘When you allow God to lead, He writes the best love stories.’

Katsina Police smash crime rings, arrest 168 suspects in one month

The Katsina State Police Command has arrested 168 suspected criminals in connection with 105 reported cases across the state in September, the Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Aliyu, disclosed on Friday.

Speaking at a press briefing at the Command Headquarters in Katsina, Aliyu said the arrests cut across various offences including robbery, murder, rape, vandalism, and drug peddling.

According to him, the suspects comprised 12 robbers, five individuals arrested for murder or culpable homicide, and over 20 suspected rapists.

Others included nine vandals, two gunrunners, three persons for unlawful possession of firearms, and 14 suspected drug dealers.

Aliyu revealed that police operations during the period also led to the foiling of several bandit attacks, the neutralisation of five suspected bandits, and the rescue of more than 80 kidnapped victims.

Recovered exhibits included 1,298 rounds of live ammunition, four cartridges, a General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), two AK-47 rifles, one locally fabricated firearm, five suspected stolen vehicles, and five motorcycles.

Also recovered were 1,096 tramadol tablets, 42 exol tablets, quantities of dried cannabis, and vandalised electric cables.

The Commissioner of Police, Bello Shehu, commended residents for their cooperation and urged continued support for the fight against crime.

‘We sincerely express our deepest appreciation for the support, collaboration, and assistance we’ve received from members of the public. We urge everyone to continue reporting suspicious activities through our emergency lines,’ he said.

Residents were advised to reach the police through emergency numbers 08156977777, 09022209690, and 07072722539.

PhilHealth addresses benefits for eye conditions

The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) has called on Filipinos to take advantage of its benefit packages for common eye conditions in line with the observance of the World Sight Day, ensuring its commitment to universal eye health under the Bagong Pilipinas (New Philippines) campaign.

To support Filipinos with vision problems, PhilHealth continues to provide financial coverage for major eye-related procedures and services. These include: cataract surgery for children: up to P187,100, cataract surgery for adults: up to P80,900, glaucoma treatment: up to P12,675 (second case rate applicable), diabetic retinopathy: up to P23,634 and optometry package: up to P2,500 per year for eye examinations and eyeglasses for children from 0 to 15 years old.

The state insurer underscored the importance of proper eye care through healthy habits, such as eating nutritious food rich in vitamins A, C and E-including carrots, spinach and citrus fruits.

Health insurer now covers orthopedic implants

The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) said Wednesday it has granted the provisional contracting of its Z Benefits for orthopedic implants in response to the devastating magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck Cebu and nearby provinces on Sept. 30.

The state insurer said the move follows a directive from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who ordered government agencies to mobilize immediately and provide all necessary support to affected communities.

Currently, only one PhilHealth-accredited hospital in Cebu is authorized to provide Z Benefit packages for orthopedic implants. To address this gap, the PhilHealth Board approved a special policy granting President and chief executive officer Edwin Mercado the authority to relax key policies during a state of calamity.

This would ensure that more facilities can provide urgent orthopedic procedures without delay.

‘This is not just a matter of policy, but of timely action to save lives and limbs,’ he said. ‘By easing restrictions, we are ensuring that those injured in this calamity receive proper treatment without delay or undue cost.’

Ebonyi partners US firm to build food processing plant

The Ebonyi State Government has taken a bold step toward industrial transformation with a landmark investment deal sealed during the recent investment summit in New York City, United States.

The delegation, led by Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, participated actively in the summit, organized by African Import Export Solutions, one of the leading trade promotion organizations connecting African economies with global investors.

According to the Commissioner for Special Duties and Focal Person, State Diaspora Office, Valentine Okike-Uzo, who was part of the Governor’s entourage, the event, which was held on September 22, 2025, marked a turning point for Ebonyi’s industrial future.

‘For those asking for evidence of the investment summit attended by our dear Governor, the pictures taken both within and outside the venue clearly show the Ebonyi team engaging meaningfully with global investors,’ Okike-Uzo said.

He revealed that Nwifuru had a close interaction with the Managing Director and CEO of African Import Export Solutions, Mr. Uduka Udeh – a Nigerian from Delta State based in the U.S.

According to Mr Okike-Uzor, the meeting focused on exploring viable partnerships aimed at converting Ebonyi’s vast agricultural potential into global export opportunities.

‘To ensure the authenticity and sustainability of the proposed investments, the Governor invited Udeh and his team for a follow-up engagement, during which discussions were deepened and a partnership agreement was sealed.’

‘In about two weeks, the team from the U.S. will arrive Abakaliki to further discussions on establishing a multi-billion dollar food processing factory in the state,’ Okike-Uzo disclosed.

The Commissioner noted that when completed, the factory is expected to process yam, cassava, maize, sweet potatoes, rice, and palm oil – all abundant in Ebonyi State – into export-ready products for markets in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Europe, and Asia.

He noted that beyond strengthening Ebonyi’s export base, the project is projected to create at least 1,000 direct jobs and generate between $50 million and $100 million in annual export revenue.

‘It’s the desire of the governor to industrialize the state, hence these all-important meetings in faraway New York City,’ Okike-Uzo added.

‘By the grace of God, this project will become a reality and change the economic fortunes of our people,’ Okike-Uzor said.

He assured the public that updates on the progress of the partnership would be communicated as the implementation phase begins, expressing confidence that Governor Nwifuru’s efforts have already secured a brighter and more prosperous future for Ebonyi State

We have exceeded national average on preventable blindness, says Abia

The Abia State government has said that the rate of preventable blindness in the state is higher than the national average, highlighting the need for concerted efforts to combat quackery and traditional treatments.

The Administrator of the Abia State Eye Health Management Bureau, Dr Betty Emeka-Obasi, disclosed this during an event marking the 2025 World Sight Day.

The event was themed, ‘Prioritising Eye Health, a Collective Approach.’

Nigeria faces a growing challenge of avoidable blindness, with the World Health Organisation estimating that over 1.13 million Nigerians are currently blind, and more than four million live with varying degrees of visual impairment-figures that continue to rise due to preventable causes such as cataracts, glaucoma, uncorrected refractive errors, and diabetic retinopathy.

According to data from the National Blindness and Visual Impairment Survey conducted by the Federal Ministry of Health and the International Centre for Eye Health, the national blindness prevalence is estimated at 0.78%, but the rate is significantly higher in the South-East region, where access to quality eye care remains limited.

Emeka-Obasi stated that the situation stems from the fact that the Southeast has the highest rate of eye diseases in the country.

She said, ‘Abia State has its fair share of health challenges. The preventable blindness rate is higher than the national average.

‘In rural local government areas, only 15% of people access annual screenings, leaving early detection a distant dream. Women face a 12% care gap, bound by cultural chains and economic hurdles.’

She explained that the establishment of the Abia State Eye Health Management Bureau ‘Stands as a testament to Governor Otti’s unwavering commitment to transformative health care.

‘Our mandate is clear – to build a robust, accessible, affordable eye care system across all 17 local government areas. And by God’s grace, in just over a year, we have achieved remarkable milestones.’

She further said, ‘We have upgraded the Abia State Specialist Hospital Eye Centre; launched three new clinics at Amachara, Ugwunagbo, and Aba General Hospitals; and integrated additional services into 10 primary health care centres, with four already operational.

‘We have served 15,110 patients, delivered 11,000 free screenings, and performed 2,000 life-changing surgeries through partnerships with ANPA, the NNPC Foundation, and our state government. Revenues have skyrocketed.

‘We have trained 192 teachers as first responders for our school eye health programme and launched a unified automatic internship to build a cadre of skilled professionals. Poverty must end. Rural blindness must cease. Gender disparities must shatter,’ she said.

Challenging traditional rulers, the clergy, educators, and citizens to demand screenings and embrace ‘Love Your Eyes’ as a mantra.

She outlined a series of activities for the day, which include free eye screenings and free glasses. These have been ‘going on in our various vision centres and in our primary health care centres.

‘So we are running at this time free eye screening, free eye tests, and giving free reading glasses. [We provide] drops when you need them.’

She also warned against ‘false cures that blind rather than heal. We call them harmful practices. Please, [they are] damaging instead of healing the eyes.’

In his lecture, the keynote speaker, Prof. Emmanuel Esenwah of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, described eyesight as critically important, stating that about 1.2 billion people worldwide are visually impaired.

He disclosed that eye diseases are more prevalent in the South-East zone of Nigeria.

He advised, ‘The state should do more. We must show more interest in our eyes,’ concluding that to achieve this, all hands must be on deck through an integrated, people-centred approach.

State Of Emergency Over Insecurity: Where, When, How?

Following the resurge of insurgency, banditry and other violent crimes in the last one month, in some parts of Nigeria, there have been renewed calls for the declaration of state of emergency in the affected states.

The federal government has at various times used the emergency rule to stem violent conflicts, arrest breakdown of law and order as well as ensure the rule of law in cases where groups have taken up arms against the state. But the question now is whether that is the solution to the problem, what format it will take and what other ways can be adopted to find solution to the problem.

There has been noticeable increase in cases of violent crime in the North West, North East, North Central and South Eastern parts of Nigeria with states such as Borno, Kebbi, Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kwara, Niger, Benue, and Plateau recording high and frequent cases.

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Some top military officers both retired and serving at the public presentation of a book by former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor (retd), titled, ‘Scars: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum,’ were of the view that the declaration of a state of emergency is the best way to deal with the security situation in the country. Irabor is of the view that the lack of political will to take drastic actions had hindered Nigeria’s response to insurgency. He said the proclamation of emergency backed by the National Assembly would have rallied round all elements of national power towards ending the war.

The former CDS in the book, ‘The government had not yet mustered the political will and instruments to declare a war against Boko Haram. With an emergency proclamation, backed by the National Assembly, there will be greater and more focused attention by the government to galvanise all the elements of national power towards the war’.

Only last month, the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) also urged President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in Northern Nigeria, citing escalating insecurity that has devastated lives, crippled economic activities, and threatened national stability.

In a communiqué signed by its spokesperson, Prof. Abubakar Jiddere, the forum expressed grave concern over what it called the ‘relentless wave of violent attacks, abductions, and killings’ across the region, stressing that the Federal Government can no longer afford to delay decisive action.

The NEF observed that the security architecture remains inadequate, overstretched, and in some cases complicit through inaction and silence, leaving citizens vulnerable and helpless while eroding public trust in government institution and warned that if the worsening situation is not urgently addressed, communities may resort to ‘self-help,’ which could trigger anarchy and undermine Nigeria’s democratic stability and regional peace.

Other security experts and groups support position

A group, Kwara South Youth Congress (KSYC) recently called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in Kwara State following worsening insecurity in the state.

In an open letter to the president, signed by Dr Oluwatobi Afolayan, president of the KSYC, and Mr Bashir Adejare, the group’s public relations officer, the KSYC said many communities in Kwara South have been forced to relocate due to repeated bandit attacks. Some are, however, of the view that there are better approaches.

In an interview with Trust TV, Major General U.I. Muhammed, (rtd), who had worked in many hostile environments across the country, said: ‘It is an option. When a state of emergency was declared in three North East states in the past (Borno, Yobe, Adamawa), insecurity reduced but was not solved.

‘There are many other problems that need addressing. One is proliferation of small arms and light weapons; there are millions and no one can explain exactly how many. Our borders are porous: Nigeria is 923,768 square kilometres with long land borders and 852 kilometres of coastline – about 4,047 kilometres of borders in total. Weapons come in through the sea and bush daily. If you declare a state of emergency and do not secure the borders, you will be limited in effect.

”We need science and technology at the borders and committed staff to prevent weapons inflow. We must also address poverty, which is an enabler of insecurity. Government, businesses and well-to-do individuals should invest in human capital and skills to get miscreants off the streets and reduce the pool of people who can be drawn into criminality, insurgency and kidnapping,’ he said.

A national security analyst and former Assistant Director, Department of State Security (DSS) Dennis Amachree, in an interview with Weekend Trust, said he supports a declaration of state of emergency in the North East and North West because of the protracted cases of terrorists’ attacks and banditry. He, however, added that the mode of implementation should vary from what obtained in Rivers State. He said he does not support the sack of democratic institutions under emergency rule.

He said, ‘I have always advocated for a state of emergency in the North East and North West as the protracted terrorists and bandits crises in the regions have resisted conventional military solutions.’

State of emergency

The constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended empowers the country’s president in section 305 to declare a state of emergency in the whole country or any part thereof if the country is involved in any crisis situation caused by either human being or natural phenomena such as earthquake, floods, erosion etc. The essence of this provision is to enable the president to restore peace and order during that period of emergency after which normalcy will return.

Affected states

In Borno State, within the last one month, Boko Haram terrorists have attacked many places, targeting both civilians and security locations. The most recent major attack happened in Kirawa, a border town to Cameroon, where two people were killed, over 50 burnt including the palace of the district head.

In another night attack, the Boko Haram terrorists killed more than 60 people in Darul Jamal village, Bama Local Government Area. The insurgents who came in large number ransacked the town, carted away food items and burnt down several houses on September 5, 2025.

The Nigerian Air Force said it killed 30 militants in strikes after receiving reports of the raid on the village, where displaced residents had recently returned.

Also, the insurgents attacked a military barrack in Banki, a border town to Cameroon, where they engaged soldiers and civilians JTF for almost one hour. Weapons were said to be carted away by the terrorists. The terrorists also ambushed Civilian JTF escorting passengers on Kirawa-Pulka road, killed one and set ablaze six passenger vehicles.

Members of the Lakurawa terror group have been on the prowl carrying out attacks across Kebbi state. Many local government areas of the state have come under attacks in recent months with many residents fleeing their homes. Also in Niger, bandits have taken over many communities. They carry out frequent attacks killing residents and destroying properties. At the moment, many communities in the state have been sacked.

Katsina State has been experiencing severe attacks unleashed by bandits. Almost on a daily basis, there are reported cases. Many of the communities have been deserted just as schools and businesses have been shut. At the last count, about nine local government areas of the state have gone into peace deals with the bandits to enable the residents go to their farms and carry out other activities. Despite all these, residents of the state still live in fear as the attacks persist. In Zamfara, the case is not any different as bandits continue to attack the communities. Many schools and businesses have been shut. Also in Sokoto State, the attacks have continued. Farmers cannot go to their farms just as schools have been shut.

And in Plateau State, at least six local government areas, Mangu, Bokkos, Barkin Ladi, Riyom, Jos South, and Bassa have been experiencing attacks. Despite the deployment of security personnel in some communities, no-go areas persist within the affected LGAs, where farmers and herders are too afraid to work due to fear of attacks. The situation has become dire, with attacks and killings becoming a daily occurrence.

A fact-finding committee inaugurated earlier this year to investigate the violence submitted its report in September. The committee’s chairman, retired Major General Rogers Nicholas, disclosed that over 11,000 people, including men, women, and children, have been killed, and property worth millions of naira destroyed in 13 LGAs, including farms, cattle, and homes destroyed.

He said ‘We established that 420 communities across 13 LGAs have suffered violent attacks between 2001 and May 2025. The human cost has been staggering, with 11,749 lives reported lost within the period. These figures represent only those officially reported to us; we believe the actual number may be higher. Beyond the loss of lives, we documented widespread destruction of livelihoods.’

Kwara State has also been in the news over attacks by bandits despite onslaughts by the state government and troops. Many of the affected residents are still living in constant fear. A recent report by this newspaper showed that many local government areas are under attacks with residents fleeing to other areas and states for safety.

Benue is not left out as attacks have consistently hit at least 17 of the 23 Local Government Areas across the state. Our correspondent reports that Benue State continues to witness a resurgence of violence, with fresh cases of communal clashes, assassinations, and armed invasions reported despite ongoing military operations.

Resolving the situation

Several persons have said that the way to finding solution to the problem is through a state of emergency. Some of them have argued that if Rivers State could be placed under a state of emergency, same should be done with the states under attacks by bandits. But the question is; is that the solution to the problem and what form should such a declaration take? Also, has emergency solved such problem is the past and aside that, what other way can be used to solve the problem which has practically grounded many states across the country.

Indeed, various governments have taken some measures like the deployment of military in areas affected; setting of inquiries and engaging with the leaders of the affected areas but the problem persists.

Speaking on the issue, Brigadier General John Sura (rtd) suggested the use of mercenaries as the Goodluck Jonathan administration did. He said that way, neutrality will be maintained in the fight against banditry and insurgency.

Previous cases of emergency rule

In May 1962, then Prime Minister Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was the first to declare a state of emergency when he suspended the Premier, cabinet, and legislature in the Western region and appointed Dr. Moses Majekodunmi as Administrator.

During President Shehu Shagari’s administration, Nigeria experienced the Maitatsine riots in four states of Kano, Kaduna, Borno and Gongola. They were later subdued and the situation did not degenerate to a state of emergency. It was under President Olusegun Obasanjo that emergency rule was revived with the declaration in Plateau State in 2004 due to the outbreak of violence. Then governor, Joshua Dariye and the legislature were suspended and General Chris Alli (rtd.) was appointed as administrator.

Ekiti State was to follow in 2006 when the then governor, Ayo Fayose and the state legislature were suspended and General Tunji Olurin (rtd) appointed sole administrator. But that case was different from the current situation as the issue then was political.

In December, 2011, President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency in Plateau over ethno-religous crisis. And a state of emergency was declared Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states following escalation of violence in May 14, 2013. But it that instance, he left the governors and state assemblies in place.

The most recent case was when President Tinubu on March 18, declared a state of emergency in Rivers State due to rising political tension and the governor, deputy, and legislature were suspended while Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (rtd.) was appointed sole administrator.

Many, including civil society organisations, governors and other political leaders have criticised the resort to emergency rule at any given time while some maintain that the president is so empowered by Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution.

From Ado Abubakar Musa, Hope Abbah, Makurdi; Ismail Adebayo, Birnin Kebbi; Abubakar Akote, Minna and Hamisu Matazu, Maiduguri

Open letter to presidential candidates on youth unemployment crisis

Dear presidential candidates,

In the polite language of emails and public service announcements, we might begin by hoping the recipient is well. But the Ugandan youth population has no time for such pleasantries. We need to tackle a crisis so pressing that it threatens to swallow our future : the epidemic of youth unemployment.

For generations, our parents gave us one singular piece of advice: go to school.

‘Education is the key to success,’ they promised, citing examples of successful professors, doctors, engineers, and lawyers who had made fortunes by mastering their books. We took that advice. We pursued degrees, diplomas, and certificates, placing the most valuable years of our lives into the academic system.

The tragic reality now is that the key is broken, and the door to success remains locked. According to data from the Mastercard Foundation, only about 12 percent of Ugandan graduates secure formal employment.

This is a devastating statistic. It implies that for 88 percent of people who dedicate themselves to the academic path, that path ends up being useless-and I use that word for lack of a better, more descriptive one. Ask yourselves, as potential leaders of this nation: Is anything with an 88 percent chance of failure a good investment? We have invested our lives, and the returns are misery.

This crisis is a human tragedy with consequences we see daily. Almost half of our young, working-age population is either unemployed or not in education or training. Most of those who go to school do not get employed.

Driven by desperation, some are forced to leave the country for the Middle East, ending up doing things they would never have contemplated doing at home, sometimes even dying in search of a decent shot at life.

The challenge of unemployment is continually misconstrued by those in power. Usually, the conversation quickly defaults to the “lack of skills” among the youth.

However, I am inclined to think the true problem has far more to do with the actual lack of employment avenues than it has to do with any skills gap. Industry, in a healthy economy, dictates the kinds of people it needs to employ, and academia then becomes malleable to that direction. We cannot create skills for industries that simply do not exist or are not growing.

Not to say that academia is performing perfectly, but we must focus our efforts on the cause, not the symptom. The fundamental problem of unemployment remains no jobs, and NOT unoccupied jobs.

Therefore, we ask you, our presidential candidates, that as you campaign and promise us a new dawn, you look beyond the empty rhetoric. Stop giving us textbook answers that only cite capacity building or skilling initiatives. Give us a feasible, actionable, and financed way forward out of this unemployment crisis.

Your race can be won or lost on this issue alone. If you appeal plausibly to the vast pool of unemployed youth, you will be appealing to more than 10 million people-a demographic not only able to vote but also able to swiftly walk to the polling station to tick your name. Address this crisis, and you address the future of the nation.

We should join hands to reduce lightning deaths

This week, Monitor ran a tragic story of a 23-year-old mother, Pronia Nyiramahoro, who was struck by lightning in Kisoro District on Tuesday evening. She left behind a breastfeeding baby and another three-year-old. Also injured at home during the light rain was the deceased’s mother-in-law, Topista Nyirakayonde.

Sadly, this incident marks the fifth lightning-related death in Kisoro within a month, highlighting the local vulnerability during the rainy season.

Among the recent fatal incidents are the death of 20-year-old Evaline Nyiramugisha and injuries to 14 students at St Paul’s Rugarambiro Secondary School. Local authorities have urged residents to exercise caution during such weather conditions.

According to the 2020 Annual State of Disaster Report published by the Office of the Prime Minister, Uganda, on average, gets 70 lightning strikes per square kilometre per year. From 2007 to 2014, about 586 people were killed by lightning, including 395 school learners. Also, 727 injuries were recorded in the same period.

In June, the Ministry of Education pledged to scale up lightning protection efforts in schools across Uganda, following a deadly series of lightning strikes that killed at least 10 people and injured more than 70 others between January and June.

The First Lady and Education minister made the commitment during the commemoration of International Lightning Safety Day in Lamwo District. The day is observed annually on June 28, marking the anniversary of when, in 2011, lightning struck Runyanya Primary School in Kiryandongo District, killing 18 pupils and injuring 38 others.

Lightning is one of Uganda’s deadliest natural hazards, yet largely preventable with the right actions. All schools and community buildings should have lightning protection, especially in high-risk districts. This is on top of educating the masses on implementing safety protocols and educating children about lightning risk. Since victims usually include people in rural areas, local leaders and teachers should also be trained in first aid for lightning injuries.

Also for long, stakeholders have asked the government to exempt lightning safety equipment from taxes. Players in the sector say high import taxes are hampering the lifesaving work.

‘We pay up to 35 percent in import duties. That money alone-if spared-could have protected three more schools,’ said Prof Mary Ann Cooper, the managing director of the African Centre for Lightning and Electromagnetics Network, in June.

Finally, the government should sensitise the public on the dos and don’ts during the rainy season, on top of investing in lightning alert systems. We might not be able to stop lightning from striking, but we can stop the deaths from happening.

Misuse of prescription medicines and skin lightening products

Police in India have arrested the owner of a pharmaceutical company that manufactured a cough syrup connected to the deaths of at least 17 children in the country.

The owner of Tamil Nadu based Sresan Pharmaceuticals was arrested and faces having its license revoked pending a decision by the federal health ministry.

Initial tests by authorities in India say that the test samples of Coldrif contained diethylene glycol (DEG) – a highly toxic industrial solvent and that the Tamil Nadu Drugs Control Department shows that cough syrup was manufactured in unhygienic factory conditions.

Although there are no exports of the medicine in question, there is a need for Sri Lanka to be alert for medicines that come, not only from India but other countries with regulatory issues, so as to avoid any such tragedy.

According to foreign media reports the World Health Organization has confirmed from India that three contaminated syrups had been identified, and none had been exported and the country had a ‘regulatory gap’ in screening locally-sold syrup medicines.

As far back as 2023, the WHO cautioned against the use of cough syrup particularly for children after cases were reported from several countries involving incidents of over-the-counter cough syrups for children with confirmed or suspected contamination with high levels of diethylene glycol (DEG) and ethylene glycol (EG).

Despite many attempts to regulate the overuse of prescription medicines, there continues in Sri Lanka the ability to buy most medicines over the counter. From strong painkillers to antibiotics to statins, most medicines can be bought over the counter without a proper prescription.

While Sri Lanka has escaped any major tragedies of the sort that happened in India, there are few studies to show how the abuse and overuse of prescription medicines are affecting people and leading to other medical conditions including liver and kidney diseases.

This is not the only worrying tread. There is almost an addiction to skin lightening products in the country with many being freely advertised with no warnings of the side effects they can have in the long term. While advertising on television and newspapers is not allowed, there is plenty of advertising on social media driving the craze to lighten skins with teenagers among those who have fallen prey to such advertising.

The Consumer Affairs Authority has warned against use of skin care products that contain mercury. In May this year, it released the names of 49 hazardous skin products containing mercury but it’s likely these items are still on the market disguised with new names.

Given the limited resources in checking these products as well as the lack of public education on the harm of long term use of such products, the health authorities may have to face new challenges for treating those impacted by the use of these products.

The CAA needs more funding to strengthen its awareness building programs so that there is adequate warning to consumers who may buy such products. Otherwise, lured by the promise of miraculous results, many will use them and may have to suffer in the long run.

The incidents in India is not only a wakeup call to Sri Lanka and other countries but also bring to light the bigger issue of the free availability of unregulated products. Health authorities should concentrate on making the public aware of the danger they face by the haphazard use of prescription medicines as well as unregulated beauty products.