A former presidential aide, Okoi Obona-Obla, has stated that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is not in a position to dictate appointments to be made by President Bola Tinubu for the governing councils of tertiary institutions in the country.

Obona-Obla said this against the background of the latest rejection of the fresh appointments made by President Tinubu into the governing board of public universities across the country.

Recalls the national president of ASUU, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, had voiced disappointment regarding the composition of the newly constituted governing councils for federal universities across Nigeria.

According to Prof Osodeke, the new list of council members is dominated by retired politicians rather than experts in academia or relevant fields.

Prof Osodeke further criticized the new list as being worse than its predecessor, indicating a regression rather than progress in the appointment policies.

But in his reaction, Obono-Obla said the federal government is not obliged to appoint only technocrats into the governing councils as the Constitution is clear about those who can be appointed into such positions by the President.

The former presidential aide argued that Tinubu is at liberty to appoint individuals who meet the constitutional requirement and the outcry by ASUU is totally misplaced.

He said, “My point is that appointment of the membership of the Governing Councils doesn’t require the appointment of only technocrats, as suggested by ASUU.

“Anybody can be appointed into the Council, as long as he fulfills the criterion spelled out in the statute, establishing the universities he has been appointed into.

“It is the prerogative of Tinubu to appoint anybody of his choice into any appointment as long as he meets with the condition(s) stipulated by the law.

Section 5 (a-h) of the University of Calabar Act 2004 provides as follows:

The Council of the University shall consist of:

(a) the Pro-Chancellor;

(b) the Vice-Chancellor;

(c) the Deputy Vice-Chancellors;

(d) one person from the Ministry responsible for Education;

(e) nine persons representing a variety of interests and broadly representative of the whole Federation to be appointed by the President;

(f) four persons appointed by the Senate from among its members;

(g) two persons appointed by the Congregation from among its members;

(h) one person appointed by Convocation from among its members.

Section 5 (e) of the University of Calabar Act,2004 is quite instructive.

“It prescribes the method or the quality of people that should be appointed into the governing council by Tinubu.

“Tinubu is required to appoint nine persons representing a variety of interests and broadly representative of the whole Federation.

“No special qualification is stated and is required as long as the appointment reflects a variety of interests and broadly representative of the whole Federation.

“Therefore, Tinubu has satisfied the requirements laid by the law for the appointment of members of the universities belonging to the Federal government of Nigeria.

“The impression that the political class doesn’t have within its fold Technocrats is misplaced.”

Afrobeat singer Gabriel Oche Amanyi, popularly known as Terry G has claimed that the music industry is riddled with cultism.

The singer lamented that the industry is being undermined by the influence of cults and fraternities.

He shared his concerns during the latest episode of Afrobeats Podcast.

According to Terry G, the trend is discouraging some musicians from pursuing their craft, as they feel pressured to join cults to advance their careers.

He subsequently called for the reduction in cultism influence to foster a more harmonious and supportive music industry.

According to him, “In my time, cultism used to be in the universities. But it has entered into the music industry now. If we can remove it from the music industry, we would be [one] family again.

“But if there’s frat [confraternity] in the music industry, people like us who are not cultists cannot operate anymore.

“When we held sway, there were people doing cultism but it wasn’t violent. It was about love. They said it was for solidarity purposes.

“But now, I can see the same family fighting among themselves. So that’s just the major problem of the Nigerian music industry. A lot of musicians are even scared to do music. They want to do cult before they do music now because that would pave way for them than the music. Let’s try and reduce the rate of cultism in the music industry.”

Thailand achieved a significant milestone on Tuesday as it became the first country in Southeast Asia to legalize same-sex marriage following a historic parliamentary vote.

The Senate upper house granted conclusive approval, with a vote of 130 in favour, four against, and 18 abstentions, to amend the marriage law enabling same-sex couples to marry.

The new legislation will now be sent to King Maha Vajiralongkorn for royal approval and will take effect 120 days after being published in the official Royal Gazette.

Thailand is set to join Taiwan and Nepal as the third Asian destination where same-sex couples can tie the knot, with activists eyeing possible wedding ceremonies starting in October.

“We are very proud of everyone involved in this historic moment. You have helped to bring about a massive change.

“Today love wins over prejudice,” an LGBTQ activist and member of the committee that scrutinised the law, Plaifah Kyoka Shodladd, told senators after the vote.

Ahead of the vote, Tunyawaj Kamolwongwat, an MP with the progressive Move Forward Party, stated that the change in the law was “a victory for the people”.

The recent legislation replaces mentions of “men,” “women,” “husbands,” and “wives” in marriage laws with gender-neutral terminology.

It also grants same-sex couples equal rights to heterosexual couples regarding adoption and inheritance.

“My partner has one boy and I want to have legal rights to formally adopt him as my child and to have a say about his well-being. This bill will allow it,” Kevin Pehthai Thanomkhet, 30, told AFP.

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, a staunch supporter of the LGBTQ community and the bill, will host celebrations at his official residence, welcoming activists and supporters later on.

Activists are also planning an evening rally featuring a drag show in central Bangkok, where large shopping malls have been displaying the rainbow flag in support since the beginning of Pride Month in June.

Thailand has long enjoyed a reputation for its tolerance of the LGBTQ community, and opinion polls reported in local media show overwhelming public support for marriage equality.

More than 30 countries around the world have legalized same-sex marriage since the Netherlands celebrated the first unions in 2001.

Nigerians have urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to practice what he preaches, following his statement that Nigeria needs self-sacrificing citizens to fulfil the dreams of its founding fathers.

The president was also asked to ensure that his ministers, advisers, agency heads, governors at the subnational level, and other individuals in positions of authority lead by example.

They emphasized that sacrifice should start from the top and trickle down, rather than the other way around.

 Tinubu, addressing journalists after observing the Eid-el Kabir prayer at Dodan Barracks in Lagos on Sunday, stressed the need for people to follow the path of sacrifice to make the nation great.

“Being a very good citizen comes with responsibility. As citizens, what do you do to be a very committed member of our society? Go and sacrifice. Love your country, love your neighbours, share what you have with one another and be thankful to Almighty God. That’s all,” the President said.

The comment sparked reactions from various groups in Nigeria, including civil society organizations and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

An economist and lecturer at Saadatu Rimi University of Education, Kumbotso, Kano, and Director of the Fiscal Discipline and Development Advocacy Centre (FIDAC), Dr. Abdulsalam Kani, criticized the government for not fulfilling its promises to Nigerians.

“The government has eliminated the fuel subsidy and raised electricity tariffs, causing hardship for many. They promised that the Port Harcourt refinery would start production in December last year, which has not happened. Despite these failures, they plan to purchase new aircraft for the president and vice president,” he stated.

He also highlighted the government’s inability to control inflation, which is currently over 33%.

“The government’s primary duty is to ensure the welfare and security of its citizens,” he added.

Secretary-General of the Nigeria Political Science Association (NPSA), Dr. Bakare Adegbola, remarked: “The president’s statement is typical of what politicians say during Eid celebrations, especially Eid-el-Kabir, which emphasizes sacrifice. However, when placed in a political context, it raises questions.

“Politicians often view their positions as business investments, aiming to recoup their expenses rather than make personal sacrifices,” he noted.

“Before asking the masses to sacrifice, the government should lead by example. The cost of governance is too high, and plans to buy new aircraft for the president are unnecessary when there are already ten. Selling some of the older planes would be a better approach,” he suggested.

Civil society organizations also voiced their opinions.

Team Lead/Convener of the Good Governance Team (GGT) Nigeria, Tunde Salman, stated that President Tinubu and his team should practice what they preach.

“Unfortunately, Nigerian leaders often do not follow through on their promises, so the president’s appeal is likely to be ignored,” he said.

Senior Communications Officer at Yiaga Africa, Mark Amaza, criticized the call for more sacrifices from citizens, noting that leaders are not making similar sacrifices.

“Cutting governance costs, reducing cabinet size, and eliminating extravagant spending are necessary steps that should be taken to show solidarity with citizens during these hard times,” Amaza emphasized.

Executive Director of the Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED), Comrade Ibrahim Zikirullahi, called the president’s appeal insensitive.

“Neither the president nor the ruling class has the moral authority to demand more sacrifices from Nigerians, who are already living in poverty despite the country’s abundant resources,” he said.

Country Director of Action Aid Nigeria (AAN), Andrew Mamedu, insisted that the president’s call must be backed by actions from the government.

“The country is grappling with inflation and a high cost of living. The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has rightly demanded a higher minimum wage to help workers cope, yet the disparity between the sacrifices expected from ordinary Nigerians and the lavish lifestyles of lawmakers remains glaring,” he noted.

Executive Director of the Cleen Foundation, Gad Peter, questioned what sacrifices President Tinubu and his administration are making to improve the lives of Nigerians.

“While Nigerians have sacrificed to elect him, what is he doing to ensure they benefit from democracy?” he asked.

Former National Secretary of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), Yinka Folarin, described Tinubu’s statement as unfortunate, suggesting it could further agitate the public.

“Nigerians are already sacrificing and enduring economic hardship. The president appears disconnected from the people’s struggles,” Folarin commented.

The PDP urged President Tinubu to curb corruption within his administration and lead by example before asking Nigerians to make sacrifices.

National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Debo Ologunagba, emphasized that leadership must set an example in sacrifice to inspire public confidence.

“Nigerians have lost faith in the APC government due to its failure to provide clear policies for security and economic wellbeing, leading to widespread disappointment,” Ologunagba stated.

Chieftain of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Buba Galadima, has warned President Bola Tinubu against interfering with the politics of Kano state.

Naija News reports that Galadima made this known during an interview with Arise News on Monday night.

Galadima said Tinubu should be mindful of the Kano politics because it might destroy his presidency.

According to him, some powerful politicians and rich men in Kano met with President Tinubu to intervene in the legal tussle between the Kano Governor, Abba Yusuf and the All Progressive Congress (APC), governorship candidate in the last election, Nasiru Gawuna.

Galadima added that if Boko Haram can hold Nigeria ransom in the last 13 to 14 years, Tinubu will not be able to withstand the issue that will come from Kano if he interferes in the state politics.

He said, “I want to tell the Federal Government, including my friend, President Bola Tinubu, that he should be mindful of Kano politics, it will destroy his presidency. They never agree on any issue and I have an inherent knowledge of how we deal with the issue of Kano politics during the NPN when I was the youth leader.

“I know some very powerful politicians in Kano, including some rich men who came to meet the president, that they should remove Abba Yusuf and nothing will happen and the man I know should be smarter than what he is by telling that fine nothing will happen and ask them that how did it happen that you didn’t win election in the first place. If Boko Haram can hold the Nigerian nation to ramson for the last how 13 to 14 years, they should be careful with Kano. We have come of age in Kano and I am not threatening anyone. That is all I can say.”

The Nigerian Presidency believes the economy is getting better, even with the inflation rate climbing to 33.69%.

Naija News reports that the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, revealed this in a recent interview with Television Continental (TVC).

Onanuga mentioned that the month-to-month inflation rate has slightly decreased, showing a positive trend.

He also noted that food prices have been falling and are expected to continue declining nationwide, despite reports of a significant increase.

Onanuga stated that President Tinubu is diligently working to introduce measures to mitigate the impact of the federal government’s reforms on the populace.

The Presidency emphasized that the current economic issues were inherited, noting that inflation was already at 23.65% when President Tinubu took office.

“I read a report recently saying inflation has moved to a staggering 33.69%. How is it staggering? Last month in April, inflation was 33.4 something. Then it moved by a mere 0.26%.

“In fact, from March to April, inflation slowed down. So things are improving. People will soon begin to feel the impact of all these reductions.

“I had a call from my town a few days ago, with someone telling me the price of garri is going down. Inflation is on a reduction level. And it’ll continue to go down.

“This government when it came in May last year, inflation was at 23.65%. The movement from there till now is about 10.4%.

“We already had some problems before this government came into office. We didn’t create all the problems. We inherited many of them. And this government is making so much effort to reduce these problems.

“One of those things that the government is doing is the introduction of a student loan scheme. Millions of students will benefit from this. This will also help the parents at home,” Onanuga said.

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported that Nigeria’s inflation rate rose to 33.95% in May 2024 from 33.69% in April 2024, with food inflation reaching 40.66% year-on-year.

...pays tribute to outgoing council leaders

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has directed Heads of Local Government Administration to immediately take charge of their respective councils, following the expiration of the tenure of 23 local government chairmen, vice chairmen, and councillors.

Fubara gave the directive in a statewide address on Tuesday, June 18 on the tenure expiration of the LG council chairmen, vice chairmen and councillors of the 23 councils of the state.

The governor, who stressed the need to uphold the Constitution and maintain law and order, ordered the heads of local government administration to serve with renewed vigour and await further directives.

The governor, however, paid tribute to outgoing elected local government chairmen, vice chairmen, and councillors whose tenures expired on June 17, 2024, after three years of dedicated service to the state.

He, on behalf of the Rivers State government and citizens, expressed gratitude for their sacrifices and commitment to public service, congratulating them on their successful completion of tenure.

The governor wished them well in their future pursuits, acknowledging their contributions to the state’s development.

Amidst the brewing tension in the state, the governor also called for unity just as he urged all stakeholders to reflect on the sacrifices made towards achieving a peaceful and prosperous Rivers State and Nigeria.

He expressed his desire for continued peace and harmony among all, highlighting the significant milestones achieved collectively in various sectors.

These achievements, he noted, have had a profound impact on communities across the state.

He, however, reaffirmed his commitment to Rivers State’s development and reassured the people of the state of his administration’s unwavering dedication.

He reaffirmed his commitment to upholding the well-being and progress of the state and its people.

“I assure you, my good people of Rivers State that we shall continue to defend, and provide infrastructural development, sound health care delivery, quality education and an undiluted welfare package for all our people and workers,” he said.

The Lagos State Police Command on Tuesday said the abducted Fouani brothers have been rescued.

Also rescued were the boat captain and his assistant.

Recall that the three Lebanese brothers, of which one is the Managing Director of Fouani Company – a sole distributor of LG, Hisense, and Maxi products in Nigeria – were kidnapped on June 14 around Falomo Bridge while traveling from Apapa to Victoria Island.

A source had said the kidnappers were demanding a $1.5m ransom.

But the state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, who disclosed the rescue of the victims said they were rescued on Monday night at Orugbo Iddo by men of the Marine Police.

He identified the Lebanese brothers as Abbas Fouani, Youssef Fouani, and Amtal Fouani.

“…five of them were rescued. Three Lebanese, the boat captain and his assistant.

“They were rescued late last night in Orugbo Iddo. Our Marine Police, with the support of the Nigerian Navy, brought them to shore.

“Thereafter, our tactical team in the area took them home on Banana Island in the early hours of today,” Hundeyin said.

For patients in Nigeria, the outrageous cost of life-saving drugs is a daily burden. Several people are now forced to take a risk with their health by extending or missing doses, settling for less potent substitutes, resorting to self-medication or traditional healers, or stopping medication entirely.

For those battling chronic ailments such as diabetes, high blood pressure or cancer, the affordability crisis has pushed essential medications and treatment out of reach for many Nigerians and strained the public healthcare system.

Experts are worried that a significant number of patients who are not taking their medications as prescribed, stand to develop complications and incur even more expensive interventions later.
Some patients, who spoke with our correspondents bemoaned the negative effects that rising drug costs are having on their well-being, financial situation, and survival.

Ngozi Uchenna, a petty trader, was concerned about her 10-year-old daughter’s persistent cough. At the neighbourhood health centre in Ikeja, Lagos, she was visibly worried at the high cost of the prescribed cough mixture. “I cannot afford the drugs, so I’m taking my child back home,” she stated.
James Akor, who had been coping with sporadic coughs and chest pains, said he resorted to taking herbal mixtures because the hospital treatment bills were outrageous.

“One of the drugs the doctor said I shoud buy costs N120,000 and I will need to buy it two or three times every month. Another drug is about N55,000. Where will I get the money? I don’t have it,’’ he lamented.
‘I can’t afford N1.2m for one drug’

Dayo A. who was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2023, has not purchased any of the drugs prescribed for him.

He lamented: “The cancer was detected mid-stage, I am only on palliative treatment. One of the drugs prescribed for me was Lupron Depot. The doctor said I should take it once every six months, but it cost N1,200,000.

“I am self-employed and not on health insurance, so I could not afford it. I was placed on another drug, Zoladex, but one vial costs about N750,000, which was also unaffordable for me.”

For Olu F., a father of three, who lamented that paying his hospital bills was a nightmare, said: “I’m a civil servant with a heart problem. Actually, I’m on a basic health insurance plan, but it does not cover the full cost of treatment for my condition, so I’m paying out of pocket.

“I’m usually sacrificing one for the other. It is either I buy my drugs and not pay for one other need or I skip my medication. Either way, it’s not in my favour.”

Kate B. who is diabetic also has a sad story; and many older adults like her are particularly impacted by the rising costs of diabetes drugs, rationing their medication just to make it last.

Hers is a plight of being forced to choose between buying medicine and putting food on the table.

A market survey by Vanguard in Lagos revealed that the prices of common medications such as painkillers, antibiotics, anti-hypertensives and anti-diabetics have been increasing steadily since the beginning of the year.

Hardest hit are prescription drugs, the cost of some of which runs into millions of naira in some instances.

Causes of high cost of drugs

At the pharmacies, it was gathered that in addition to the naira devaluation, price adjustments by drug manufacturers, government regulations, taxes, availability and demand for specific medications are factors driving price increases.

Towards the attainment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal, SDG3, and Universal Health Coverage, UHC, the Federal Government assented to the 2014 National Health Bill aimed at providing increased access to basic health care for the vulnerable population.

But even this has failed because many Nigerians still pay out of pocket for medical expenses, pushing more families into experiencing burgeoning health expenditures.

With hospital care gradually becoming financially out of reach, Nigerians are turning to cheaper but largely untested options such as home remedies, herbal medicines, among others.

But experts are worried by this development. The consensus was that out of pocket expenditures will prevail until the gaps in financing essential health care services, particularly preventive health services, is addressed.

Worry over traditional, herbal medicine

A general practitioner at a General Hospital in Lagos, Femi Akintunde, cautioned that though traditional medicine practices and herbal treatments are prevalent and offer familiarity and cultural relevance, their effectiveness can vary significantly.

“When treatment costs become too high, people are forced to seek affordable and untested alternatives. Although traditional medicine practices and herbal treatments are widely used in Nigeria, their effectiveness can be unpredictable,” Akintunde warned.

Further he said: “While going to the pharmacy is okay for consultations for minor ailments and over-the-counter medications, relying on them for serious conditions can be risky due to limitations in diagnosis.

“Though public clinics offer affordable care, they may face resource limitations and longer wait times. The bottom line is that the inability to access proper diagnosis and treatment from qualified professionals can worsen health outcomes.”

Roadblocks to good healthcare

Another consultant medical practitioner, Bola Akinlolu, identified three major roadblocks to receiving good healthcare in Nigeria today: exorbitant costs for medications and treatment, long distances to reach medical facilities, and sometimes dismissive attitudes from healthcare providers.

Akinlolu emphasised that high cost remained the most critical hurdle, saying without health insurance or the ability to pay out-of-pocket, necessary treatment or medication might be out of reach.

“Of these, the issue of high cost is the most significant, because even if the patient succeeds in getting to the healthcare facility, and there are health workers to attend to them, there is little that can be done if such patient is not covered by health insurance, and cannot pay the treatment bill out of pocket or cannot afford to buy the required drugs,” he remarked.

Titilola Lawal, a registered nurse and midwife at a Lagos government hospital, blames skyrocketing medication prices as a key reason patients struggle to stick with their treatment plans.

While acknowledging that side effects could also make treatment compliance difficult, Lawal argued that cost was the biggest hurdle.

“Several factors can affect medication adherence but nowadays, high cost is number one. Medications in general are expensive, but some prescriptions, especially ‘orphan drugs’ for chronic illnesses like cancer, heart disease, and diabetes, can cost millions of naira,” she said.

Lawal explained that even with health insurance, the cost of these drugs could be overwhelming, leading patients to skip doses or ration their medication.

She added that some patients might even start treatment but abandon it halfway when the costs become unbearable.

She expressed particular concern for patients on multiple medication, saying managing such regimens could be challenging, and that high costs could increase the risk of accidentally skipped doses or medication errors.

Tolu Adetola, a pharmacist also regretted the development, warning that delay is dangerous.

“When people delay seeking medical attention, their condition can worsen and become more difficult to treat. This can lead to complications, increased healthcare costs, and even death.

“Worse still, if people with infectious diseases don’t seek medical attention, they can unknowingly spread the illness to others. This can be a particular risk for vulnerable populations.

“The rising costs of medical treatments and drug prices, exacerbated by the weakening value of the naira against foreign currencies, are negatively impacting families.

“Many households struggle to manage their healthcare expenses, which in turn affect their allocation of funds for necessities such as food and transportation.

“The general lack of reliable health insurance coverage by significant number of Nigerians further complicates the situation. Even where insurance is available, insurance companies are grappling with higher costs due to expensive medications,” Adetola said.

Catastrophic health expenditure

Launched in 2005, Nigeria’s National Health Insurance Scheme, NHIS, aimed to make healthcare affordable and accessible.

However, many Nigerians still face out-of-pocket medical expenses, risking financial hardship due to high costs. “What most Nigerians are facing today as a result of the economic downturn is catastrophic health expenditure.

‘’This is the health care payment beyond a certain fraction, that incurs negative economic consequences, ranging from sacrifice of basic goods and services, depletion of savings by individuals and families, to loss of income, and productivity, as well as disruption of welfare and living standards.

“Narrowing economic status gap across households, and increasing the depth of insurance are crucial mechanisms to reduce the probability of incurring catastrophic health expenditures in Nigeria,” he stressed.

Veteran Nigerian actress Lanre Adesina Hassan, famously known as Iya Awero, tearfully recounted the heartbreaking tragedies that marked her lengthy acting career.

In a riveting recent interview on actress Doyin Kukoyi’s talk show,  Iya Awero delved into the darkest corners of her life and career.

When asked by her junior colleague to share an unforgettable experience that almost led her to abandon acting, Iya Awero recounted ordeals fraught with pain and resilience.

Iya Awero shared a gripping tale of her early marital struggles, revealing how she initially faced stiff opposition from her husband, who pressured her to quit her acting career to focus solely on their family.

The Nollywood Veteran recounted how her husband’s demands created a tumultuous period in her life, leaving her torn between her passion for acting and her responsibilities at home.

Determined to pursue her dreams, Iya Awero said she stood her ground with unwavering resolve. Her determination was bolstered by the unwavering support of her colleagues in the industry, who rallied around her and interceded on her behalf.

In a tearful recollection, She recounted the devastating day when one of her children, who had accompanied her to a stage performance event, suddenly collapsed and died. This shocking loss, according to her, left her in a state of profound grief and disbelief, was unable to face her husband in the wake of such a tragedy.

Iya Awero then went on to recount that soon after, her son accompanied her to a funeral, where they stayed overnight at the bereaved family’s home. Tragically, the next morning, she woke to find that her son had passed away in his sleep.

These deeply painful experiences and the overwhelming grief, she revealed, led her to question her own ability to continue acting. However, she expressed gratitude to God for granting her the strength to persevere until this day.

Moved by her tearful anguish, Doyin prayed earnestly for her, asking that God would continue to comfort her and that she would not have to mourn any more of her children.