South East Governors have been told not to bother asking for a renewal of mandate in 2027 if the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, did not regain his freedom before the next general election.

Concerned Igbo Ministers who issued the threat in an open letter to the Governors accused them of not doing enough to secure Kanu’s release despite making it a campaign issue.

The Ministers also expressed disappointment that Igbo leaders could not raise Kanu’s matter before President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, during his recent visit to Enugu.

They further accused President Tinubu of playing politics with Kanu’s continued incarceration, wondering why it is taking him long to honour his promise during the campaigns to release Kanu if elected President.

Arguing that “Kanu’s continued detention is an outright humiliation to Ndigbo”, the Ministers urged the President to heed the pleas from eminent Nigerians for Kanu’s release.

Concerned Igbo Ministers, in a statement signed by the President General/ International Coordinator, the Rev. Tony Uzo Anthony; and Secretary General, Apostle Tony Osuji, expressed displeasure over the President’s reluctance to release Kanu.

They challenged the President and South East Governors to demonstrate that they were genuinely committed to the restoration of peace to the South East by releasing Kanu whose continued detention, they claimed, was fuelling insecurity in the region.

The open letter sighted by Vanguard in Abia read:”It is now evident that Mr. President and the South Eastern Governors took an oath not to free Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. Last week, the Prince Emmanuel Kanu, younger brother to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu revealed their deal with Seyi Tinubu, the president’s son, with the approval of his father, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“During his campaign in Imo State, the President promised that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu would be liberated during his presidency, but nothing has happened in nearly two years now.

“Sad enough, no South Eastern Governor confronted Mr President during his tour to the region about Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s infamous and illegal detention.

“It is now evident to everyone that our South Eastern Governors are the true source of insecurity in the South East, otherwise they should have pressed for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, who has a lasting solution to the insecurities in the region.

“Mr President being misled by the South Eastern Governors is on a path that can ruin his name and political ambitions in the region.

“God would appear in his time to expose the actions of the South Eastern Governors who in one way or the other benefited from Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s unlawful incarceration.

“We, as a group, are now urging all religious leaders to begin raising questions about Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, who is yet to be released.

“The utmost hypocrisy of Igbo politicians is to use the media to fool our people with frivolous promises that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu will be released. They have all failed Ndi Igbo and should not be re-elected should they continue to fool us and politicize Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s release.”

Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, also known as Sunday Igboho, has expressed that if Nigeria is unable to function as a united country, the different ethnic groups should be permitted to go their separate ways.

In a video shared on Thursday, Igboho, seen at a UK airport, blamed corruption and insecurity for why many Nigerians no longer take pride in their citizenship.

He added that Yoruba youths, enriched by global exposure, are eager to transform the Yoruba nation into a modern, prosperous society like those in Europe.

His words: “Even inside the airport, there is no security. They can steal your belongings inside your bag (in Nigerian airports). All these are the things dissuading people from being proud of the country, Nigeria.

“Things like that make us sad to identify ourselves as Nigerians. This is why we advocate for separation. If Nigeria is not working as a country, it is better we go our separate ways.

“Our (Yoruba) youths will transform Yoruba nation. Most of them have travelled across the world and they have learned a lot. If they come back to Yoruba land, the knowledge will help them build it and transform the nation like those in Europe.”

This is not the first time Igboho has called for the breakaway of Yoruba people from Nigeria.

In April 2024, Igboho, alongside Pro Banji Akintoye and Ola Ademola from the Yoruba Self-Determination Movement, wrote a letter to President Tinubu, urging him to establish a negotiation team to discuss the Yoruba people’s exit from Nigeria.

The letter reads in part: “We are acting for and on behalf of our 60 million Yoruba people of the Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, and Oyo States, respectively, plus the Yoruba Local Government Areas of Kogi and Kwara State, and plus the Itshekiri homeland of Delta State, all together constituting the Yorubaland in Nigeria, hereby most humbly place our crowning request before Your Excellency as follows:

“That the Nigerian Federal Government shall, within the next two months, but not later than June 15, 2024, inform us Yoruba Self-determination Movement that the Nigerian Federal Government has graciously agreed to our proposal for negotiation and that they have set up a negotiation team that will meet and have a dialogue with our Yoruba Nation’s negotiation team.

“That the Nigerian Federal Government shall invite the United Nations, African Union and the Economic Community of West African States, to send observers to the negotiation meetings.”

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has disclosed that it has stopped the registration of sachet alcohol since February 2024 as part of a campaign to curb its accessibility, especially to young people.

At a press briefing in Lagos on Thursday, the Director General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye reflected on the agency’s accomplishments over the past seven years and outlined a transformative vision for 2025.

Adeyeye said the agency will be focusing on five pillars including strong governance and leadership, maternal newborn and child health, institutionalisation of best practices, safety and quality of regulated products and monitoring of supply chain.

According to her, “A cornerstone of the strategic plan is addressing the agency’s greatest need: an adequately staffed workforce.” Adeyeye noted that despite NAFDAC extensive regulatory responsibilities, the agency is acutely understaffed.

She said to meet the World Health Organisation (WHO) Global Benchmarking requirements, the agency plans to engage volunteers while awaiting statutory approval for additional hires.

She said the agency required a total of 10,000 workers to effectively oversee the population’s needs but has only 2000 staff nationwide.

“We burn candles on both ends,” she stated, emphasising that the current workforce is overstretched but remains committed to safeguarding public health and maintaining Nigeria’s global standing.

“Efforts to address this include stringent recruitment processes to ensure integrity and competence. While the agency seeks to double or triple its current staff, funding constraints have limited the pace of expansion.

“Volunteers are also being incorporated into the workforce, with candidates undergoing the same rigorous screening as regular staff.

“Staff motivation and retention remain key priorities, with a focus on improved remuneration and capacity building. Training initiatives will target officers in all 36 states to enhance skills in regulatory inspection, post-marketing surveillance, clinical trial monitoring, and customer service. Monthly seminars with strategic partners like the Nigeria Customs Service, NDLEA, and the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria will ensure cross-agency collaboration and knowledge sharing.”

On infrastructure and tools for efficiency, she said NAFDAC plans to complete 10 state and zonal offices, as well as laboratories, including the Vaccines, Biologics, and Medical Devices Laboratory in Oshodi. Investments in vehicles, laboratory equipment, and computers will bolster efficiency, while solar panels will be integrated into selected facilities to reduce energy costs.

On safety and Quality: 2025 as the Year of Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health, Adeyeye said NAFDAC has declared 2025 as the “Year of Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health & Nutrition (MNCH&N).”

“The agency will prioritise the regulation of maternal health products such as oxytocin, tranexamic acid, and carbetocin to prevent postpartum haemorrhage and reduce maternal mortality.

“For children, emphasis will be placed on the quality and availability of antimalarials, antibiotics, and ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) for malnourished children.

“Manufacturers will be incentivised to produce paediatric medicines, supported by regulatory inspection and WHO Prequalification processes, she stated.

Further, on tackling Substandard and Falsified Products: “The agency aims to minimise the prevalence of falsified and substandard products to less than five per cent through stringent post-marketing surveillance and inspections. Cluster registration of globally listed products and enhanced stakeholder engagement will ensure transparency and consumer safety.”

On it’s focus on Herbal Medicines and Cosmetics, she said NAFDAC is expanding its regulatory focus on herbal medicines, collaborating with the Nigerian Natural Medicine Development Agency (NNMDA) to develop a Nigerian Herbal Pharmacopoeia and Traditional Medicine Formulary. Clinical trials for herbal products targeting malaria, diabetes, and hypertension are being planned.

“In the cosmetics sector, the agency will compare locally made products with imports to determine the need for protective policies favouring local manufacturers. Quarterly stakeholder training will ensure compliance with health and safety standards.”

Speaking on the Supply Chain Visibility and Traceability, she said to secure regulated products, NAFDAC will expand its GS1-driven track-and-trace technology to MNCH&N commodities, ensuring visibility and protection from diversion or infiltration.

“This system, already applied to COVID-19 vaccines and antimalarials, will now extend to high-risk foods and other critical medicines.

For financial prudence and sustainability, she said under her watch, NAFDAC has achieved financial solvency, moving from a ₦3.2 billion debt in 2018 to a stable footing.

“Continued digitisation of financial systems has enhanced transparency and efficiency. Moving forward, the agency seeks increased funding to expand staff strength, procure tools, and create conducive work environments.

She said the NAFDAC 2025 Strategic Plan is a bold vision to enhance regulatory efficiency, protect public health, and promote local industry, adding that with a focus on maternal and child health, strengthened supply chains, and expanded workforce capacity, NAFDAC is poised to lead Nigeria into a healthier future.

Adeyeye said: “Our efforts are driven by a singular purpose—safeguarding the health of the nation. Together, we can achieve a safer, healthier Nigeria.”

Speaking on other critical issues like the Executive Order on local content, she called for timely enforcement of the order to ensure manufacturers have ample time to adjust before it expires.

On border security and counterfeit products, she said to combat the smuggling of unregulated and counterfeit products, NAFDAC is enhancing surveillance at ports and borders.

“However, understaffed borders remain a challenge. The agency plans to utilise pre-screened candidates to bolster manpower as soon as statutory approvals are granted.”

Responding to a question on the Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV)
in China, she emphasised its proactive approach to pandemic preparedness.

While awaiting WHO guidance, she said the agency has prioritised local manufacturing of medical devices and pharmaceuticals to mitigate overdependence on imports during health crises.

Nigerian musician, Darlington Achakpo, widely known as Speed Darlington, has petitioned the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB), DIG Dasuki Galadanchi, over what he described as his unlawful detention.

In a letter dated January 8, 2025, and signed by his counsel, Rosemary E. Hamza, from the law firm of Deji Adeyanju & Partners, Speed Darlington urged the police to comply with a Federal High Court order issued by Justice M.S. Liman on December 23, 2024. The court had directed the police to either charge him to court within 48 hours or release him unconditionally.

The letter, titled “Re: Unlawful Detention of Darlington Achakpo” and copied to the Deputy Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court in Abuja, expressed frustration over the police’s continued disregard for the court’s ruling.

Part of the letter read, “As you are no doubt aware, the Federal High Court, per Hon. Justice M.S. Liman, on the 23rd day of December 2024, directed the police authorities to charge our client to court within 48 hours or release him unconditionally.

“On January 6, 2025, the court reiterated the order and urged the police authorities to release him to the lead counsel, our own, Marshal Abubakar, who shall produce him in court for trial.”

The letter further revealed that bail terms were communicated to the singer on January 6, 2025, requiring him to produce a Grade Level 16 civil servant as a surety. On January 7, 2025, Abubakar and another legal representative, Mazi David Ihuoma, accompanied a surety to the FIB to meet the conditions. However, according to the petition, multiple calls and messages to DIG Galadanchi from the singer’s legal team were ignored.

The letter added, “Events and happenings on that day left much to be desired as several calls and messages sent to you by Abubakar Marshal, Esq and Deji Adeyanju, Esq were left unanswered and without response.”

The petition confirmed that Abubakar and Ihuoma would visit the FIB again on January 9, 2025, with a surety to fulfil the bail conditions.

LEADERSHIP reports that Speed Darlington’s ordeal stemmed from his arrest in November 2024 over allegations of defamation and cyberstalking of fellow artist, Damini Ogulu, also known as Burna Boy. After his arrest in Lagos, the singer was transferred to Abuja and detained by the IGP’s Intelligence Response Team in its Guzape District office in Abuja.

Although released initially, he was re-arrested shortly after, during a performance in Owerri, the Imo State capital, upon his return to Nigeria.