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The Federal Government has said strengthening logistics and transport cooperation with China will be critical to achieving Nigeria’s target of building a one trillion dollar economy by 2030.

The Technical Adviser to the Vice President on Transportation, Logistics and Innovation, Dr. Segun Obayendo, said efficient transport infrastructure, resilient supply chains and seamless logistics would determine the country’s ability to attract investment, expand exports and compete in global markets.

Speaking at the 2026 Ningbo Africa Trade and Logistics Cooperation Forum in Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, China, Obayendo said the Tinubu administration was implementing policies to modernise transport infrastructure and position Nigeria as the logistics and distribution hub of West Africa.

He said the Renewed Hope Agenda places priority on infrastructure development, trade facilitation and investment promotion, adding that these objectives cannot be achieved without an integrated transport and logistics system.

According to him, Nigeria’s aspiration to build a one trillion dollar economy depends not only on production, but also on how efficiently goods, services and people move across the country and beyond.

He said Nigeria’s strategic location, large consumer market, natural resources and access to the African Continental Free Trade Area provide a strong platform for regional economic leadership, but stressed that sustained investment in rail, ports, highways, inland dry ports and digital logistics platforms was required to unlock the opportunities.

Obayendo described China’s zero tariff policy for exports from African countries as a major opportunity for Nigeria to increase exports, deepen manufacturing and attract fresh investments.

He urged Nigerian businesses to leverage improved logistics and trade facilitation to become more competitive in international markets.

The presidential aide said Nigeria-China cooperation should go beyond trade to embrace technology transfer, industrial development, infrastructure investment, innovation and skills development capable of creating jobs for millions of Nigerians.

Obayendo welcomed the proposed partnership on port development and logistics infrastructure between GKandA Logistics Services Limited and China based Ningbo Foreign Trade Company Limited, describing it as a significant step towards strengthening Nigeria’s logistics capacity and bilateral economic ties.

He called on governments, development partners, financial institutions and the private sector to sustain collaboration in implementing agreements reached at the forum to maximise their long term economic benefits.

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central) has called on the Federal Government and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to review visa applications by South African artistes and their entourages in line with the principle of reciprocity following reports that Nigerian singer Ayra Starr was denied entry into South Africa.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the senator said Nigeria should not remain passive when its citizens are subjected to unfair treatment abroad.

She urged the federal government and the NIS to ensure that Nigeria’s foreign policy reflects mutual respect and safeguards the dignity of Nigerians wherever they may be.

‘I call on the Nigeria Immigration Service and the Federal Government of Nigeria to review the visa applications of South African artistes and their entourages in accordance with the principle of reciprocity in foreign policy,’ she said.

Akpoti-Uduaghan said if reports that Ayra Starr and members of her team were denied South African entry visas, forcing the cancellation of their engagements, are confirmed, Nigeria should respond with equivalent measures.

‘If it is confirmed that our Nigerian artiste Ayra Starr and her team were denied entry visas to South Africa, leading to the cancellation of their engagements, then Nigeria should respond with equivalent measures until Nigerian citizens and artistes are accorded fair and respectful treatment,’ she said.

The lawmaker, however, clarified that her position was not directed at South African singer Tyla or any individual artiste but was aimed at promoting fairness in diplomatic relations.

‘This is not a call against Tyla as an individual. Rather, it is a call for Nigeria to uphold the principle of mutual respect that underpins international relations,’ she added.

According to the senator, reciprocity remains a recognised tool of diplomacy and should be applied whenever Nigerians are subjected to discriminatory or unjust treatment abroad.

‘When our citizens face discriminatory or unjust treatment abroad, Nigeria must demonstrate that such actions carry corresponding consequences,’ she said.

She further urged the Federal Government to ensure that Nigeria’s foreign policy protects the dignity of Nigerians and promotes mutual respect among nations.

‘Our foreign policy should protect the dignity of Nigerians everywhere and ensure that respect between nations is mutual, not one-sided,’ she said.

The senator’s statement followed widespread reports that Ayra Starr and members of her team were allegedly denied visas to South Africa, a development that has sparked debate on social media over whether Nigeria should adopt stricter reciprocal visa measures against countries accused of treating its citizens unfairly.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Anambra Command, says effective collaboration with other security agencies is the key to tackling illicit drug trafficking, substance abuse and other crimes.

The State Commander, NDLEA, Mr Charles Onubogu, said this on Thursday in Awka, during a familiarisation visit by the Commanding Officer, 14 Field Engineer Regiment, Onitsha, Lt.- Col. Joseph Enyia, to the NDLEA office.

‘Effective collaboration among security agencies remains indispensable in the fight against illicit drug trafficking, substance abuse, and other crimes,’ he said.

Onubogu reaffirmed the command’s commitment to maintaining existing cordial relationship with the Nigerian Army and other security agencies in the state to fight drug trafficking and other crimes.

He welcomed the Commanding Officer and his entourage, congratulating him on his recent appointment.

The NDLEA chief assured Enyia of the agency’s readiness to sustain intelligence sharing, joint operations, and other collaborative initiatives geared towards ensuring a safer and drug-free Anambra.

Earlier, Enyia emphasised the importance of sustained collaboration among security agencies in addressing emerging security challenges.

He said the visit was meant to strengthen existing partnerships and provide an avenue to deliberate on issues of common interest, towards enhancing peace, security, and public safety across the state.

The Commanding Officer, who assumed command of the 14 Field Engineer Regiment on July 13, was accompanied on the visit by some senior officers of the regiment.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the visit was aimed at fostering a cordial working relationship between the Nigerian Army and the NDLEA.

It was also meant to familiarise the new Commanding Officer with key security stakeholders in the state.

Federal Government has said it would conduct 25,000 free cataract surgeries nationwide by the end of 2027, to tackle blindness and expand access to quality eye care services.

Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, said this yesterday in Abuja at the 49th Annual Scientific Conference of the Nigerian Optometric Association and African Council of Optometry (AFCO) meeting.

The conference had the theme: ‘Optometrists in a Changing Africa: From Diversity to Unity’.

It brought together eye care professionals and stakeholders to discuss strategies for strengthening optometry practice and eye health care delivery.

Salako said the surgeries would be delivered under the Renewed Hope Health Connect Initiative, designed to take health care services closer to underserved communities and vulnerable populations across Nigeria.

He said funding had already been provided in the 2025 and 2026 federal budgets to support implementation of the programme and ensure timely delivery of planned interventions nationwide.

‘The process is already ongoing and, all things being equal, we hope to start the implementation by late October or early November this year,’ he said.

The minister said eye health had remained neglected for years, in spite of preventable visual impairment continuing to deprive millions of Nigerians of productivity, independence, economic opportunities and personal dignity.

He said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had placed emphasis on expanding primary eye care services and tackling preventable blindness through sustained investments, reforms and strengthened health care delivery systems.

According to him, the National Eye Health Strategic Development Plan 2024-2028 is integrating eye care services across primary, secondary and tertiary health care levels to improve early detection nationwide.

Salako said the Federal Government had also inaugurated Nigeria Glaucoma Guidelines and Toolkit to standardise diagnosis, treatment and referral protocols for glaucoma management across health care facilities nationwide.

He said ophthalmologists from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory had already been trained in the guidelines to facilitate effective implementation and improve patient outcomes nationwide.

The minister added that under the Effective Spectacle Coverage Initiative Nigeria-JigiBola 2.0, more than 2,220 primary health care workers across 16 states had been trained to conduct vision screening.

He said the JigiBola 2.0 initiative had screened almost two million Nigerians and provided more than 1.3 million people with free reading glasses across participating states nationwide.

He said approximately 66 per cent of beneficiaries received their first-ever pair of spectacles through the intervention, highlighting the significant unmet need for eye care services.

‘The Jigi-Bola 2.0 is now being expanded under the Renewed Hope Health Connect to deliver at least five million free pairs of spectacles and 25,000 free cataract surgeries by the end of 2027,’ he said.

Salako described optometrists as the frontline of community eye health, emphasising that their expertise remained critical to achieving universal eye health coverage and reducing preventable blindness nationwide.

President of Nigerian Optometric Association, Dr Chimeziri Anderson, said the conference was conceived to harmonise and standardise optometry education, training and practice across African countries.

He said the gathering would strengthen collaboration among African nations, promote research dissemination and bridge differences in professional training, competencies and regulatory frameworks across the continent.

‘We discovered that across Africa, the programme of optometry is very diverse. We are beginning conversations on how to bridge the gap,’ Anderson said.

According to Anderson, optometrists play a strategic role in identifying cataract patients and referring them for surgery, particularly among underserved populations in rural and hard-to-reach communities.

He said the association had partnered with organisations to facilitate free cataract surgeries, recording about 60 successful procedures during a recent outreach programme for vulnerable patients.

President of AFCO, Dr Remi Ninkpe, called for a harmonised framework to guide optometry education, training and professional practice across Africa.

Ninkpe said Africa had made remarkable progress in expanding optometry training, clinical services and professional recognition through collective efforts by governments, institutions and professional associations.

He, however, said differences in curriculum, competencies and scope of practice continued to limit workforce mobility, professional integration and regional advancement across the continent.

‘A harmonised, structured framework will deliver clarity of practice, workforce mobility, shared tools and one united voice for policy and advocacy,’ he said.

Ninkpe urged governments, development partners and industry stakeholders to invest in faculty development, clinical infrastructure, digital learning, African-led research and artificial intelligence applications for eye care.

He said Africa must position itself as a co-creator rather than a late adopter of artificial intelligence technologies shaping the future of optometry and healthcare delivery.

Chairman of the NOA Federal Capital Territory Chapter, Dr Njezi Kennedy, described the conference as a landmark gathering for advancing eye care across Africa.

Kennedy commended the association’s leadership for strengthening professional advocacy, expanding global engagement and successfully bringing the continental conference to Nigeria for wider collaboration and knowledge exchange.

He urged participants to maximise the scientific sessions, deepen professional collaboration and renew their commitment to eliminating avoidable blindness, while improving eye health outcomes across Africa.

Governments at the federal and state level have been urged to ensure adequate funding of the nation’s healthcare system to address increasing cases of avoidable deaths and indignity to which patients are often subjected.

A Professor of Medical Law and Ethics and Dean, Faculty of Law, the University of Abuja, Uwakwe Abugu, who made the call, noted that the current state of the nation’s healthcare system was saddening.

Prof. Abugu noted that ‘in our hospitals and clinics, we encounter the human condition in its rawest form; you are confronted face to face by suffering, hopelessness, fear, and desecration of divine trust.

‘Yet, too often, the dignity of those we seek to heal is overshadowed by systemic neglect, bureaucratic inertia, or professional paternalism.’

Prof. Abugu spoke in Abuja on Thursday, while delivering the 52nd Inaugural Lecture of the University of Abuja, with the topic: ‘Restoring the dignity of the patient.’

He said the lecture sought to confront the existing reality in the nation’s healthcare system and explore the legal, ethical, and institutional frameworks that must safeguard the patient and ensure that the dignity of his human person is restored to its fullest.

Prof. Abugu, who suggested a number of legal and institutional reforms required to turn things around for the better, however noted that such reforms must be accompanied by the reorientation of the healthcare professionals to ensure that they prioritise patients’ care.

He advocated that governments at the state and federal levels should be held directly accountable for systemic failures in the healthcare sector that result in medical negligence and violations of patient dignity.

Prof. Abugu argued that beyond regulating healthcare providers, governments have a duty to ensure adequate funding, functional infrastructure, sufficient healthcare personnel, and effective oversight of health institutions.

Noting that inadequate funding and related challenges often expose patients to avoidable harm and loss of life, Prof. Abugu urged the courts to recognise that serious systemic healthcare failures may amount to violations of the constitutional rights to life and dignity.

He argued that strengthening legal avenues for challenging governmental neglect will promote greater accountability and improve healthcare delivery.

Prof. Abugu called for the effective implementation and funding of the compulsory emergency treatment provisions of the National Health Act 2014, noting that Section 20 of the Act, which prohibits any healthcare provider from refusing a person emergency medical treatment for any reason, is frequently misunderstood and wrongly applied.

He said, ‘This provision is frequently misunderstood and applied as though it is relevant only during disease outbreaks, pandemics, or other national emergencies.

‘The relevant authorities should utilise the five per cent of the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF) for emergency Treatment under the Act specifically for emergency treatment in hospitals and not misapply the fund in non-relevant needs of the healthcare systems, including accident victims, women experiencing obstetric emergencies, and persons suffering sudden life-threatening conditions.

‘Furthermore, inadequate budgetary allocation to the health sector has weakened the capacity of many public hospitals to provide emergency treatment without demanding upfront payment.

‘Although Nigeria committed under the Abuja Declaration to allocate at least 15 per cent of its annual budget to the health sector, this target has rarely been achieved, thereby affecting the availability of personnel, equipment, drugs, and emergency care services.

‘Proper funding and strict enforcement of Section 20 would ensure that no person is denied life-saving treatment and would reaffirm the value and dignity of every human life irrespective of financial status.

‘The effective implementation of the compulsory emergency treatment Provisions of the National Health Act 2014 is crucial to restoring the dignity of the patient in Nigeria,’ he said.

Prof. Abugu advocated that the deployment of the Fundamental Rights Enforcement Procedure in promoting medico-legal claims, adding that the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules should be more actively utilised in cases where medical negligence results in the Violation of constitutional rights.

He noted that, while negligence actions remain important, many healthcare-related wrongs also implicate the rights to life, dignity, privacy, and freedom from degrading treatment.

As a result, he argued, patients should be encouraged to pursue fundamental rights actions where appropriate, particularly in cases involving serious abuse or institutional neglect.

He added that a liberal judicial approach to such claims will enhance access to justice and strengthen the protection of patient rights, which will further promote a rights-based approach to healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

Embattled Speaker of the crisis-ridden Ondo State House of Assembly, Olamide Oladiji, has alleged that the renewed move to impeach him was orchestrated by aggrieved lawmakers, who failed to secure the All Progressives Congress (APC) tickets to contest the 2027 general election.

Oladiji, who is battling impeachment over allegations of mismanaging N44 million released by Ondo State Oil-Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC), described the plot as politically-motivated rather than a genuine concern over his leadership.

The assembly was thrown into fresh turmoil following reports that 21 of the 26 lawmakers endorsed an impeachment notice against the Speaker.

The legislators had accused Oladiji of improperly handling funds approved for the reordering of the OSOPADEC 2026 budget and vowed to suspend plenary indefinitely until he either resigned or was removed.

Reacting to the allegations yesterday in Akure, Oladiji dismissed the accusations as a smokescreen for political calculations ahead of the 2027 elections.

He said some members of the house are uncomfortable with the possibility of his return as Speaker if he wins re-election, believing he still enjoys the confidence and backing of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

‘They don’t want me to come back as Speaker in 2027. This is the major issue. We are politicians and we know what is happening. Why did these complaints not come in the last three years? Why now during the election period?’ he asked.

The Speaker maintained that the assembly had remained stable throughout his three years in office and insisted that the current crisis was fuelled by political interests rather than administrative failure.

Hoping the impasse would soon be resolved, Oladiji said leaders of the APC and other key stakeholders had stepped in to mediate between the opposing camps.

‘We are distinguished colleagues and we know how to settle our differences. Leaders of the party are already intervening, and by the grace of God, this issue will become history within the next one week,’ he added.

However, the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Olatunji Fabiyi, dismissed the Speaker’s claims, insisting the impeachment move had no connection with the APC primary election or lawmakers who failed to obtain return tickets.

Fabiyi said the lawmakers acted after what they described as repeated cases of misconduct, abuse of office and constitutional violations allegedly committed by the Speaker.

‘He keeps making excuses. First, he claimed the Minister of Interior was sponsoring us. Now he says it is because some of us lost our tickets. This is not the issue,’ Fabiyi said.

He further accused Oladiji of unilaterally issuing a resolution on the reordering of the state budget without the approval of the house, describing the action as unconstitutional, unlawful and fraudulent.

Fabiyi stressed that the lawmakers remained united in their position and would not reverse their decision, insisting that the Speaker must vacate office in line with the resolution reached by the majority of members.

The latest development has further deepened the leadership crisis in the assembly, with both camps maintaining hardline positions, even as party leaders intensify efforts to broker peace and prevent the dispute from escalating.

Fuji musician Sulaimon Alao Malaika has promised to perform at content creator Peller’s wedding at no cost, following a request made through influencer Tunde Perry.

In a video making the rounds online, Peller appealed to Perry to help secure Malaika for his wedding to Jarvis, scheduled for Saturday, August 1, 2026.

During their conversation, Peller said he already had hip-hop artistes lined up but wanted Fuji musicians, specifically Malaika, because his mother enjoys the singer’s music.

Perry, who was initially doubtful about Malaika’s availability, later took Peller to the Fuji star’s office.

Malaika said he would attend despite his busy schedule.

Describing Peller as ‘like a son,’ Malaika said he would not collect payment for the performance.

In the clip, Peller expressed gratitude by prostrating before Malaika and hugging Perry.

The wedding is expected to feature performances from both hip-hop and Fuji artistes.

Grammy-nominated singer David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has announced plans to venture into acting.

Speaking in a recent interview with Vibe Q, the Unavailable crooner said he is set to executive-produce two films and is looking to take a bigger role in the film industry.

Davido also revealed that he has shot a documentary set for release soon.

‘I want to get into movies. I want to start acting soon. I have already invested in two movies as an executive producer. I also have a documentary coming. It is very, very big. And yeah, I do want to act at some point in the future,’ he said.

The singer added that, just like technology, music keeps evolving, and artists must keep exploring new creative spaces.

‘God has blessed me with an amazing career and fans. I wouldn’t ask for another type of career. Music is what I love, and music evolves just like technology.

There’s always a new sound, a new creative idea and a new way to tell your story,’ he stated.

Chairman of Ejigbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Aare Taoheed Adebayo Taiwo, has urged the 600 graduates of the council’s Three-Week Skills Acquisition Programme to translate the knowledge and practical skills acquired into viable enterprises.

This, he said, will promote self-reliance, create sustainable livelihoods, and contribute meaningfully to the socio-economic development of the council.

Taiwo spoke during the graduation held at the Council Secretariat, Ejigbo

Through a partnership with the Blessed Gumpat Foundation, the council trained the participants with hands-on vocational and entrepreneurial training in baking and catering, home essentials production, shoe and belt making, headwear and Auto-Gele, CCTV and solar installation, makeup and gele artistry, Photography and Video Production, Drone, Fashion Design, hairdressing, DJ and music production, among other marketable trades.

He described the occasion as a significant milestone in the council’s efforts to empower youths and women. He noted that practical skills have become indispensable in today’s evolving economy, as they create opportunities for self-employment, income generation, and sustainable economic growth.

‘Skills acquisition empowers individuals to create opportunities for themselves, generate income, and become catalysts for development within their communities. By equipping our youths and women with vocational and entrepreneurial skills, we are fostering a culture of innovation, enterprise, and productivity that will have lasting benefits.

We recognise that the greatest resource of any society is its people. By investing in human capital, we are strengthening families, stimulating local economic growth, and laying the foundation for a more prosperous and resilient community,’ he said.

Executive Director of the Blessed Gumpat Foundation, Dr. Prisca Timpaul, urged the graduates to put the knowledge and skills acquired into productive use, reminding them that they are now ambassadors of Ejigbo LCDA whose success and conduct would reflect the impact of the programme.

Another highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of the Humanitarian Prestigious Award to the Chairman by the Director General of Edsea Business School, Prof. Olu Osadolor Kotoye, in recognition of his contributions to human capital development and sustained support for youth and women.

A beneficiary, Azeez Zusan, described the initiative as life-changing and pledged to make productive use of the knowledge gained, assuring the council that the investment made in them would yield positive results.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) North-West zone plans to tour all seven states in the region to mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.

The decision was reached at a zonal leadership meeting in Kaduna chaired by zonal secretary, Isah Sadiq Achida, in the absence of national vice chairman, Garba Mohammed Datti, said to be on assignment elsewhere.

According to zonal publicity secretary Musa Mailafiya Mada, the meeting reviewed the region’s political landscape and resolved to engage stakeholders across the seven states to strengthen party structures ahead of next year’s general election. The party said the North-West delivered substantial votes for Tinubu in 2023, expressing confidence it would surpass that performance in the coming polls.

The APC described the zone’s political configuration as historic, noting it was the first time all seven North-West states were under one party’s control.

The leadership thanked Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani for donating a utility vehicle to the party, commending Northwest governors for sustaining the zonal headquarters.