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The House of Representatives has called for an independent investigation into the death of a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Comrade Etimbuk Daniel Sunday, at the orientation camp in Enugu State.

The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by the Chairman of the House Committee on Public Procurement, Hon. Idem Unyime, who raised concerns about the circumstances surrounding Sunday’s death on October 11, 2026, after a reported medical emergency at the camp.

The House noted that Sunday, a former president of the Students’ Union of the Government of Akwa Ibom State University, reportedly visited the camp clinic on October 7 after experiencing symptoms associated with malaria or typhoid.

According to the motion, he received initial treatment at the clinic and was subsequently discharged with oral medication. However, concerns were raised about the treatment he received, the deterioration of his condition, and an alleged delay in referring him to a hospital for further medical attention.

The lawmakers said an investigation was necessary to establish whether appropriate medical procedures were followed and whether timely intervention could have changed the outcome.

The House also expressed concern over reports that Sunday’s body was handed over to his family naked and with visible bruises, saying the allegations required a thorough, independent, and impartial investigation.

It stressed the need to establish the circumstances surrounding both his death and the release of his body to provide clarity for the bereaved family and ensure accountability if any wrongdoing was established.

Consequently, the House mandated its Committees on Youth Development, Health Care Services, Police Affairs, and Human Rights to investigate the incident and submit their findings within four weeks.

The joint investigation is expected to examine the medical attention provided to Sunday, the deterioration of his condition, the alleged delay in hospital referral and the reported state of his body when it was handed over to his family.

Beyond the investigation, the House urged the Federal Ministries of Youth Development and Health and Social Welfare, alongside the NYSC Directorate, to review and strengthen healthcare delivery and emergency response procedures at orientation camps nationwide.

The lawmakers said the incident highlighted the need for adequately equipped camp clinics, qualified medical personnel, prompt hospital referrals and effective emergency response procedures to protect corps members during their national service.

The investigation is expected to establish the facts surrounding Sunday’s death, identify any lapses and recommend measures to prevent similar incidents at NYSC orientation camps across the country.

The Federal Government and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) have urged first emergency responders to prioritise the safety, dignity and protection of survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) linked to terrorism.

They made the call at the Second Expert Group Meeting on the Development of a Toolkit for First Emergency Responders in Cases of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Linked to Terrorism, held in Abuja.

Representing the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, the National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre, Major General Adamu Laka, said survivors often suffered lasting physical injuries, psychological trauma, social stigma and difficulties rebuilding their lives.

He added that the consequences extended beyond survivors to affect their families and communities.

Laka said the initial response to survivors must go beyond documentation, response procedures and accountability to place their welfare at the centre of every intervention.

‘For anyone who has experienced sexual violence, the manner in which assistance is first offered can influence their willingness to seek further care, their confidence in public institutions and their path towards recovery,’ he said.

He noted that first responders played a critical role in identifying sexual violence, receiving disclosures from survivors and connecting them with medical care and protection services.

However, he acknowledged that responders often worked under intense pressure, with limited resources and competing demands.

According to him, the proposed toolkit would provide practical guidance to help responders manage such cases effectively while strengthening the link between emergency assistance, survivor protection and the preservation of information that could support investigations.

‘Every response should protect survivors from further harm. Urgent care, privacy, dignity and appropriate referrals must guide the initial encounter,’ Laka said.

He stressed the need for responders to understand the limits of their responsibilities and recognise when specialist assistance was required.

In his remarks, the UNODC Country Representative, Cheikh Touré, said terrorist groups deliberately used sexual and gender-based violence to terrorise, punish and control victims.

He said women, girls, men and boys were targeted, while entire communities could be subjected to such crimes because of their religion, ethnicity or political identity.

Touré added that the effects often persisted long after attacks, compounded by stigma, displacement and barriers to healthcare and justice.

He said the success of the proposed toolkit would depend on the contributions of practitioners involved in its development and eventual implementation.

The UNODC representative cited the abduction of 276 schoolgirls from Chibok, Borno State, in April 2014, as an example of the devastating consequences of Boko Haram’s insurgency.

According to him, the abductions, forced marriages and sexual enslavement associated with the insurgency in Nigeria’s North-East demonstrated how sexual violence could form part of a deliberate strategy of terror.

‘These crimes are a global challenge. They are not confined to one religion, ideology or terrorist organisation. That is precisely why this toolkit must draw on experiences from different contexts while remaining firmly anchored in the rights, safety and dignity of those affected,’ he said.

Touré cited United Nations Security Council Resolution 2331 of 2016, which recognised the links between sexual violence, human trafficking and terrorism, and Resolution 2467 of 2019, which called for a survivor-centred approach to conflict-related sexual violence.

He added that the United Nations General Assembly had reaffirmed these commitments through successive reviews of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy.

However, he said translating international commitments into practical action remained a challenge in countries such as Nigeria.

‘A resolution alone does not reach a survivor. What matters is whether its principles translate into practical action and whether countries can adapt and implement them within their own national systems,’ he said.

Touré expressed confidence that Nigeria would demonstrate the commitment required to incorporate the guidance into its national systems and ensure survivors across the country’s 36 states benefited from improved response mechanisms.

He also highlighted the difficult conditions under which first responders operated during and immediately after terrorist attacks, including insecurity, mass casualties, inadequate resources and the urgent need to save lives.

Such conditions, he said, could make it difficult to identify signs of sexual violence, preserve evidence and ensure survivors received appropriate assistance.

He stressed that the first interaction between responders and survivors could influence whether victims felt respected, trusted the response system and obtained the care and protection they needed.

According to him, safeguarding confidentiality, respecting dignity and facilitating appropriate referrals could build trust and reduce the risk of further harm.

He added that proper documentation and evidence preservation, where safe and within responders’ responsibilities, could help ensure crimes were recorded and perpetrators brought to justice.

However, he warned against allowing investigative priorities to override survivors’ welfare.

‘The survivor’s safety comes first; the case file comes second,’ he said.

Touré noted that some responders lacked the equipment, evidence-packaging materials, and technical skills required to preserve evidence properly.

He called for stronger systems to equip first responders and align their work with established standards.

The UNODC representative also stressed the need for better coordination among agencies to prevent survivors from repeatedly recounting traumatic experiences when seeking assistance from different institutions.

He said survivors should not be subjected to unnecessary repetition of their accounts simply because several institutions were involved in providing care, protection and access to justice.

‘Our commitment is straightforward: we will remain engaged with this work and its partners until the toolkit reaches the first responders who need it in Nigeria and other countries confronting terrorism,’ Touré said.

The proposed toolkit is expected to provide practical guidance on responding to cases of sexual and gender-based violence linked to terrorism, with emphasis on survivor safety, confidentiality, appropriate referrals, and evidence preservation within the limits of responders’ responsibilities.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that Rivers State and the FCT belong to President Bola Tinubu, not to serial presidential contestants and social media presidents.

Wike stated this on Tuesday in Port Harcourt while addressing a large gathering of youths under the Rivers Rainbow Coalition.

According to him, the 2027 presidential election is between a leader who has delivered tangible benefits to Rivers State and the FCT and opposition figures he described as self-serving and lacking in substance.

Wike said the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, was not trustworthy.

‘I have been in the same party with Atiku Abubakar. He is not a man who keeps to his words. What he says in the night is not what he says in the morning,’ Wike said.

He branded Atiku a ‘political gambler’ who had contested for the presidency eight consecutive times, warning that voting for him would mean enabling someone whose primary goal was to recoup funds spent over decades of unsuccessful presidential bids.

On the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, Wike described him as a ‘social media president, a fake man’ who faked populist gestures.

‘You can make him the president of social media so that he can be going to IDP camps to be celebrating their birthdays and buying corn on the road,’ he said.

Wike defended his alignment with President Tinubu, saying Rivers State had never received as many federal benefits as it had under the current administration.

He said no fewer than 49 indigenes of Rivers State currently held prominent federal positions, describing this as unprecedented.

He also cited the newly operational Bonny-Bodo road and bridge network, noting that residents could now drive smoothly to Bodo for the first time.

‘We’re not looking for those who are fine or finer. We’re looking for those who will do something that will positively impact Nigerians and also impact Rivers people,’ Wike said.

‘Whether you are Atiku, whether you are Obi, Rivers State is for Tinubu!’ he declared, prompting chants of ‘Eeeeeh Tinubu! Oooh!’ from the crowd.

Wike said the Rivers Rainbow Coalition had come to stay and would formally unveil its candidates on 27 October, urging the youths to mobilise every demographic behind Tinubu.

In his remarks, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Rivers State, Kingsley Chinda, said the message was clear: Rivers youths were standing firmly with Tinubu.

‘The message we are sending out today is that the youths of Rivers State are unapologetically, unconditionally standing firm with Tinubu for President,’ Chinda said.

He promised a complete restructuring of the state’s education system, with a focus on technical and vocational training. He added that council chairmen across the 23 local government areas would be mandated to prioritise youth welfare and vocational centres.

‘Today, if we are talking about tiling, carpentry, and technical craftsmanship, people start looking toward Cotonou. We believe that very soon, if anyone wants the best tilers or the best electricians in Nigeria, they will come to Rivers State,’ he said.

Youth leaders also pledged grassroots mobilisation.

Chima Aguma, Coordinator of the Rivers State Rainbow Coalition Youth, said: ‘These are people who stood by you throughout the struggle… We are ready to do anything we can to ensure Tinubu and other candidates under the Rainbow Coalition win massively.’

Bani Nwisabari, Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Rivers State Chapter, presented a plaque honouring Wike as a symbol of political inclusion.

Justice Uranta, President of the National Union of Rivers State Students (NURSS), said students would mobilise across all 23 local government areas and campuses in the state and among the diaspora to ensure victory for Tinubu and Chinda.

House of Representatives, on Tuesday, kicked against a Federal Government circular requiring prior executive approval for official foreign trips by members of the National Assembly, warning that the directive could undermine the constitutional independence of the Legislature.

The resolution was passed sequel to the adoption of a motion titled ‘Need to safeguard the constitutional independence of the Legislature as a distinct arm of Government from Executive Control on official foreign travel,’ sponsored by Hon. Jesse Okey-Joe Onuakalusi.

In his lead debate, Hon. Onuakalusi, who reaffirmed the Parliament’s status as an independent arm of government, insisted that administrative procedures introduced by the Executive must respect the doctrine of separation of powers as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

He specifically expressed concern over a circular dated August 13, 2026, with reference number PRS59648/5.13/TI/335, issued by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), which requires prior approval for official foreign trips and makes such approval a condition for processing the necessary travel documents.

The House maintained that the directive raised constitutional concerns, particularly regarding the extent to which the Executive could exercise administrative control over the Legislature’s official international engagements.

Recalling the provisions of Sections 4, 5 and 6 of the 1999 Constitution, the lawmakers noted that the Legislature, Executive and Judiciary were established as distinct arms of government, with clearly defined responsibilities under the principles of separation of powers and checks and balances.

The House argued that ‘under provisions of Section 51 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 and Section 22 of the National Assembly Act, 2014, the Clerk to the National Assembly, in liaison with the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives, has the Constitutional rights concerning the administrative arrangements for parliamentary foreign trips and the issuance of Notes Verbales.’

While stressing that the National Assembly was an independent arm of government and should not be treated as a Ministry, Department, Agency or subordinate institution of the Executive, he warned that requiring the approval of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation before the Ministry of Foreign Affairs could issue Notes Verbales for official foreign trips by presiding officers, principal officers and other members of the National Assembly could undermine legislative autonomy.

According to him, such a requirement could also impede parliamentary diplomacy and create an inappropriate relationship of executive control over the Legislature, potentially affecting the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities.

The lawmaker, however, acknowledged the need for proper administrative procedures, maintaining that such processes must operate within constitutional boundaries and should not compromise the independence of any arm of government.

To address the concerns, the House mandated its joint Committees on Public Service Matters and Legislative Compliance to investigate the circular and its implications for parliamentary independence.

The joint Committees are expected to recommend appropriate legislative action and submit their report within four weeks for further legislative consideration.

Traveling across Nigeria often tests the patience of even the calmest passenger. Whether you are rushing through the gates of the terminal for a business appointment or sitting in a motor park on your way to an interstate family wedding, an abrupt announcement of a cancellation can ruin your day. In most cases, operators treat affected commuters as though cancellation is a favor or an unavoidable tragedy that travelers must bear alone.

Many Nigerians simply grumble, take a bike or taxi back home, and accept the financial loss because they believe nothing can be done.

However, the law does not leave passengers helpless. Under consumer protection frameworks established by regulators, companies that sell tickets enter into a legally binding contract to deliver service, and breach of that contract comes with clear obligations.

In this article, Tribune Online examines the five major legal rights every traveler holds whenever an airline or transport firm abruptly calls off a scheduled trip.

The right to an immediate and full refund

When an airline or road transport company cancels a trip, you are legally entitled to receive the complete value of your ticket. The transport company cannot force you to accept a credit note or voucher if you prefer to take back your cash.

For air travel, regulatory directives from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) stipulate strict timelines.

According to consumer protection guidelines issued by the NCAA, passengers who pay by cash must receive their refund immediately at the counter, while those who pay through bank transfers or electronic cards must be credited within 14 days.

For road transit, Section 130 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) gives every consumer the right to a full reversal of funds when an agreed service is not performed.

The right to free rerouting and alternative travel

A transport operator cannot simply leave you stranded in the terminal once a cancellation occurs. The law demands that the firm provides an alternative route to your final destination at no additional expense to your pocket.

If you still wish to travel despite the interruption, the operating carrier must rebook you onto their next available departure. Where they cannot offer an immediate seat, the operator has an obligation to endorse your ticket over to a competing transport firm heading to that same destination without making you pay the fare difference.

The right to care, food, and overnight shelter

Cancellations often trap travelers in transit hubs for many hours without access to basic necessities. Regulators make it mandatory for operators to provide a standard duty of care throughout that waiting period.

According to recent compliance directives from the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), carriers must provide refreshments, drinking water, and communication access such as telephone calls or internet data to stranded travelers. Furthermore, if a cancellation forces you to stay overnight because no alternative transport is available until the next morning, the operator must provide hotel accommodation and cover your ground transport to and from the lodge.

The right to financial compensation

Beyond merely refunding your ticket price, you may be entitled to cash compensation for disruptions caused by the operator’s poor planning or logistical failures.

NCAA consumer regulations state that for domestic flights cancelled without a minimum 24-hour advance notice, travelers are entitled to an additional 25 percent compensation based on the ticket face value. For international journeys, passengers are owed 30 percent compensation if notice is not given at least seven days before departure.

Airlines are only exempt from paying this additional penalty if the cancellation is driven by force majeure-such as bad weather, air traffic control restrictions, or genuine security alerts that lie outside the carrier’s control.

The right to formal redress and legal remedy

If an operator behaves dismissively, ignores your refund application, or refuses to take responsibility, you have the right to drag them before public regulators or a court of law.

The first step is to file an incident report at the Consumer Protection Directorate desk situated inside the airport terminal or directly with the customer relations unit of the transport firm.

If the company fails to resolve the dispute, you can escalate the matter by lodging a formal complaint through the online portal of the NCAA or the FCCPC.

Nigerian courts have consistently ruled in favor of commuters in landmark cases where transport operators breached their contractual duties.

You reserve the full right to engage legal representation to sue the operator for general damages, emotional distress, and financial losses triggered by the cancellation.

Osun State Government is set to adopt advanced surveillance technology, artificial intelligence, and real-time intelligence gathering as part of a comprehensive strategy to strengthen security and protect lives and property across the state.

The initiative, being developed in collaboration with Chinese technology company Hefei Shengwen Information Technology Company Limited, is designed to establish a coordinated security network capable of monitoring developments across communities and responding promptly to potential threats.

The project will deploy modern security infrastructure, including drones, radar systems, intelligent cameras and robotics, with information from different parts of the state channelled to a central Command and Control Centre for round-the-clock monitoring.

Governor Ademola Adeleke’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, disclosed the development in a statement made available in Osogbo, explaining that discussions between the governor and representatives of the Chinese firm had reached an advanced stage.

According to him, ‘the meeting was attended by a delegation led by the company’s Director of International Operations, Mr Cai Jianfei, alongside its Manager of Overseas Operations, Mr Nemo Guo.’

‘The discussions focused on the project’s implementation and the technological framework required to establish a state-wide security system.

‘Under the proposed arrangement, the surveillance network will cover strategic public and commercial locations, including schools, hospitals, banks, industrial facilities, farms, mining areas, markets, motor parks and transport corridors.’

‘Border communities and other locations considered vulnerable to security threats are also expected to benefit from the initiative, which seeks to strengthen the capacity of security agencies to detect suspicious activities and coordinate responses before incidents escalate.’

‘A key component of the programme is the proposed integration of Internet of Things technology and artificial intelligence into security operations’.

‘These technologies are expected to facilitate the continuous collection and analysis of information, enabling authorities to monitor developments across multiple locations simultaneously.’

‘The plan also incorporates a Safe School component aimed at improving protection for educational institutions, while a decentralised mobile application is proposed to enable residents to communicate security-related information directly to the central monitoring facility.’

Speaking during the engagement, Adeleke said the initiative reflected his administration’s determination to explore modern technological solutions in addressing security challenges and safeguarding residents, businesses and public institutions.

The governor explained that the proposed system would build on existing security interventions, including the establishment of the Osun State Security Trust Fund, which was created to support security operations and strengthen the state’s response to emerging threats.

He said the objective was to establish an inclusive security arrangement that would extend beyond conventional policing to incorporate technology, intelligence sharing and public participation.

According to Adeleke, the proposed framework would provide protection for residents across different sectors, with particular attention to schools, healthcare facilities, business establishments and communities along the state’s boundaries.

The governor maintained that a coordinated approach involving government, security agencies, technology providers and members of the public would be essential to achieving a safer environment for residents and investors.

In a related development, the Chinese delegation invited Adeleke to undertake a working visit to China to further examine the project and explore areas of cooperation.

Cai said the proposed initiative was designed to integrate the state’s leadership and relevant security structures into a unified system for protecting people, businesses and public assets.

The proposed deployment is expected to bring several security-related activities under a coordinated monitoring arrangement, although the statement did not specify a commencement date, implementation timeline or the total cost of the project.

Meanwhile, the Osun State Government has urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements or unusual activities to the appropriate security agencies.

Adeleke particularly encouraged people living in border communities to alert security operatives whenever they observe an unusual influx of unfamiliar persons or other developments that could pose a threat to public safety.

The government said public cooperation would remain important to security management, even as it pursues the adoption of advanced technology to improve surveillance, intelligence gathering, and the protection of communities throughout Osun State.

Court of Appeal sitting in Sokoto has dismissed an appeal filed by Senator Sahabi Ya’u Kaura challenging the judgment of the Federal High Court, Gusau, over the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary election for Zamfara North Senatorial District.

The Appeal Court upheld the decision of the Federal High Court in favour of Dr. Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, APC senatorial aspirant for Zamfara North, and ordered a primary election in the area.

Counsel to the first respondent, Bello Galadi, disclosed this while speaking with a journalist after the judgment, saying that the appellate court resolved all the issues raised by the appellant and dismissed the appeal for lack of merit.

Mr Galadi explained that Sahabi Yau Kaura had challenged the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court to entertain the case, but the Court of Appeal upheld the lower court’s authority to hear and determine the matter.

He said the appellate court also rejected the argument that the lower court improperly shifted the burden of proof to the appellant, noting that sufficient evidence had established non-compliance with the APC’s rules and guidelines.

The counsel to Dr Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi described the judgment as a significant victory for democracy and the rule of law, stressing that it demonstrated that everyone, regardless of position, must be subject to the law.

‘This judgment had vindicated my client’s decision to pursue the case, and it sent a strong message to those who considered themselves above the law’.

It could be recalled that APC senatorial aspirant for Zamfara North Dr Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi has filed case before the Federal High Court Gusau alleged that,APC primary election was not held,there were irregularities.

Dr shinkafi won at the Federal High Court where the judge ordered for another primary election within 14 days,however Senator Sahabi Ya’u Kaura proceeded to Appeal court.

Meanwhile, Dr Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi has described the ruling as a victory for democracy.

He urged his supporters across Shinkafi, Birnin Magaji, Zurmi, and Kaura Namoda Local Government Senatorial Area to continue advocating for what he described as equitable political representation.

The 12th prosecution witness (PW12) in the ongoing trial of the immediate past Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Abubakar Sirika, and three others, on Tuesday admitted before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) that the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mr Abel Enitan, was not charged in court over any wrongdoing in the award of the contract for the apron expansion at Katsina Airport.

Sirika is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on behalf of the Federal Government, before Justice Sylvanus Oriji, sitting in Maitama, Abuja. He is standing trial alongside his daughter, Fatima; his son-in-law, Hamman Jalal Sule; and a company purportedly owned by the couple, Al Buraq Global Investment Limited, on a six-count charge bordering on abuse of office and contract fraud involving ?2.8 billion.

The former minister was alleged to have abused his office to confer an unfair advantage on Al Buraq Global Investment Limited by using his position to influence the award of a contract for the apron extension worth ?1,498,300,750, among other alleged offences.

According to the EFCC, the alleged offences contravene Sections 12 and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000; Section 17(b) of the EFCC (Establishment) Act, 2004; and Section 315 of the Penal Code Act, Cap. 532, Laws of the FCT, and are punishable under the relevant provisions.

Sirika and his co-defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them by the EFCC.

At the resumed hearing on Tuesday, PW12 Christopher Odofin, an EFCC investigator, admitted during cross-examination by counsel for Fatima Hadi Sirika, Efut Okoi, that Enitan, who was the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Aviation and chairman of the ministry’s ministerial tenders board at the time the contract was awarded, was not on trial over the contentious contract.

Odofin also admitted that the ministry’s Director of Procurement, Musa Odiniya, was not being prosecuted in connection with the contract.

According to him, ‘The then permanent secretary of Ministry of Aviation, Mr Abel Enitan, is not standing trial for any wrongdoings in respect of the Katsina Airport. Also, the Director, Procurement of the ministry, Musa Odiniya, is not on trial in any court.’

The PW12 confirmed to the court that the second defendant was a staff member of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), which, he said, was wholly owned by the Federal Government of Nigeria but operated as a limited liability company.

According to the witness, the EFCC did not receive any petitions against Fatima, adding that the NNPCL had also not filed any petitions against her.

During cross-examination by counsel for the third defendant, P.A. Adewuyi, Odofin told the court that Hamman Jalal Sule was a staff member of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).

He said the NUPRC was not an agency under the Ministry of Aviation, adding that Exhibits 13 and 14, earlier tendered by the prosecution, did not emanate from the commission but from the aviation ministry.

He added that the signatory to the two documents was not answerable to the third defendant.

Answering another question, the PW12 told the court that there was no land available for the execution of the apron expansion contract awarded to the fourth defendant, Al Buraq Global Investment Limited.

He added that he could not say whether the fact that the contract had not been rescinded meant it was not illegal.

The prosecution witness, however, denied knowing that the contentious contract had been re-awarded to Al Buraq by the Ministry of Aviation on 17 March 2025.

‘I am not aware that the Ministry of Aviation re-awarded the contract for the expansion of the apron at the Katsina Airport to Al Buraq on 17th March, 2025,’ Odofin told the court.

Following an application for adjournment by counsel for Al Buraq Global Investment Limited, Michael Numa, SAN, Justice Oriji adjourned the case until 28 October for the continuation of the cross-examination of PW12.

The Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, has assured Nigerians that the agency will maintain strict regulatory oversight of medicines and vaccines supplied under the United States Government-Government of Nigeria (USG-GoN) agreement.

Adeyeye said the products are intended to support HIV/AIDS treatment and bridge the supply gap created by the exit of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

She explained that the agreement builds on NAFDAC’s existing regulatory-reliance framework with the United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA), under which eligible products manufactured in the United States and approved by the regulator may qualify for expedited review, subject to applicable Nigerian requirements.

The NAFDAC boss stressed that regulatory reliance does not diminish the agency’s statutory authority to evaluate applications, inspect products and manufacturing facilities, conduct risk-based testing, and undertake post-market surveillance.

Citing the agency’s track record, she said all COVID-19 vaccines supplied to Nigeria during the pandemic were tested at NAFDAC’s Vaccine, Biologics and Medical Devices Laboratory in Yaba, Lagos, despite prior safety assessments by the World Health Organization (WHO). She added that the agency conducts annual testing of antiretroviral, tuberculosis, and malaria medicines supplied through the Global Fund.

Adeyeye further stated that products covered by the USG-GoN agreement that are not manufactured in the United States would undergo NAFDAC testing to establish their quality, safety, and efficacy, as applicable. She emphasised that Nigeria retains the authority to make its own regulatory decisions on medical products entering the country.

The Director-General also disclosed that NAFDAC would deploy its GS1 technology-driven Track and Trace system to monitor all medical products supplied under the agreement.

She said the system, previously used to track the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, now supports the monitoring of other vaccines, narcotics, and maternal, newborn, and child health commodities through the NAFDAC Traceability Information System (TIS).

Adeyeye reaffirmed that NAFDAC would continue to facilitate access to essential medicines while upholding its statutory responsibility to safeguard public health.

The Federal Government has said it is working towards establishing soil-testing facilities across all 774 local government areas in the country to improve fertiliser efficiency, boost crop yields, and strengthen food security.

The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Abdullahi, disclosed this at a two-day Fertilizer Summit on Phosphorus and Food Security in Nigeria, organised by the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IARandT) in partnership with OCP Africa in Abuja.

Abdullahi said the initiative, under the Nigerian Farmers’ Soil Health Scheme (NFSHS), would enable farmers to make informed decisions on fertiliser application based on the nutrient requirements of their soils.

Represented by the Director, Agricultural Land and Climate Change Management Services, Oshadiya Olanipekun, the minister stated, ‘Our objective is therefore to guarantee that phosphorus incorporated into soil becomes accessible to plants, generates higher crop yields for farmers, and delivers maximum return on every naira spent on fertiliser.’

The minister, who noted that the scheme was launched in October 2025, said the government had made progress in developing Soil Health Cards, establishing the Nigeria Soil Information System (NiSIS), strengthening laboratory capacity, and building partnerships with research institutions and other stakeholders.

He said the scheme was designed to address the practice of farmers applying fertilisers without adequate knowledge of their soil composition, a situation that could increase production costs, reduce fertiliser efficiency, and undermine farm profitability.

‘For too long, many Nigerian farmers have been compelled to make fertiliser choices without sufficient knowledge regarding their soil nutrient composition. While general fertiliser recommendation serves useful purposes in certain situations, it frequently fails to account for variations in soil properties, crop specifications and regional agroecological conditions across Nigeria,’ the minister added.

According to him, the next phase of the scheme would focus on expanding access to soil-testing services, improving laboratory standards, strengthening agricultural extension services, and ensuring that soil analysis translates into practical recommendations for farmers.

He, however, identified inadequate funding, gaps in soil data, weak institutional coordination, low farmer awareness, and the cost and availability of appropriate fertilisers as challenges that could hinder implementation.

The minister called on state governments to integrate soil-health interventions into their agricultural development plans, while urging research institutions, development partners, and private-sector operators to support the scheme with technical expertise and sustainable financing.

He said the programme would be assessed through measurable indicators, including the number of farmers reached, soil samples analysed, Soil Health Cards distributed, and improvements in fertiliser-use efficiency, crop yields, and farm incomes.

The minister also urged IARandT and OCP Africa to deepen their collaboration with the ministry to translate scientific research into practical solutions for farmers.

The Executive Director of IARandT, Professor Gabriel Oluwatosin, in his opening address, warned that inadequate phosphorus management could undermine efforts to achieve food security, particularly in countries with depleted soils and limited access to appropriate fertilisers.

He explained that phosphorus was essential for plant growth, energy transfer, and root development, adding that there was no substitute for the nutrient in food production.

According to him, phosphorus management presented a double challenge globally, with farmers in parts of sub-Saharan Africa battling nutrient-deficient soils while excessive fertiliser application in some other regions contributed to water pollution.

He warned that the concentration of phosphate-rock reserves in a few countries, alongside export restrictions and international price fluctuations, could affect fertiliser affordability in import-dependent countries such as Nigeria.

‘Phosphorus is the bottleneck no one talks about in food security. Without nitrogen, we can make fertilizer from air. Without phosphorus, there is no workaround, it’s an element, you can’t synthesize it. For Nigeria, the issue isn’t just how much fertilizer, but balanced use. Many farmers apply urea alone, which without phosphorus and potassium further mines the soil,’ Professor Oluwatosin stated.

Also speaking, the Vice-Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Professor Adebayo Bamire, called for greater commitment to sustainable soil fertility management, describing it as central to Nigeria’s food security and agricultural transformation.

Bamire said the country’s growing population would increase pressure on food production, making investment in soil health and responsible nutrient management increasingly important. He identified continuous cultivation, nutrient depletion, soil degradation, deforestation, and poor farming practices as factors contributing to declining soil fertility, lower crop yields, and reduced farm profitability.

‘The future of food security in Nigeria is fundamentally linked to the health and productivity of our soils,’ he said.

Bamire described the summit as an opportunity for stakeholders to strengthen collaboration, improve nutrient-use efficiency, and develop strategies for sustainable agricultural growth.