...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.

A General Overseer (GO) and founder of a new generation church simply identified as Bishop Godfrey has been apprehended, the police in Delta State have said.

He was arrested over an alleged attempt to kidnap a fellow bishop in Agbarho, Ughelli North Local Government Area of the State.

According to the police, Godfrey, was arrested along with his wife, an Assistant Pastor, elders and others who are currently detained at the Ughelli Police A’ Division.

It was also gathered that the Police recovered three Army uniforms and over 20 Sim cards at residence of the GO while executing a search warrant.

It was further learnt that the General Overseer, whose church is located in Agbarho, was traced to a hideout, where he escaped to after getting wind of the arrest of his wife and others.

Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Edafe Bright confirmed the report, saying that investigation was on to unravel the incident.

Former Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung, has tackled the President for asking Nigerians to make sacrifices for their country. 

 President Tinubu while speaking to newsmen after observing Eid prayers in Lagos on Sunday, June 16, called on Nigerians to show more care for their neighbours and extend charity to all in the spirit of Eid-el-Kabir.

According to him, some level of sacrifices will be required to move the nation forward.

“We have been told by the Chief Imam how we can follow the path of sacrifice. The sacrifice required of a good citizen. Citizenship comes with responsibilities. As citizens, what do we need to do to be committed members of our society? Yes, that is sacrifice; loving your country. Loving your neighbours. Sharing what you have with each other. And to always be thankful to Almighty God”.

Reacting to the President's comment, Dalung in a post shared on X today, June 17, said the sacrifice should begin with the President and his govt. 

He wrote;

‘’I listened to @officialABAT calling on Nigerians again to sacrifice, love, and believe in the country. Could this be mockery of the suffering of the masses, or he genuinely believe in what he was saying? If President Tinubu is sincere about what he's saying, then it's confirmation that his government is under siege by the notorious cabal.

 

The president's body language betrayed him completely from the social reality. He is in his own world distinct from the hardships confronting Nigerians. From my analysis of the speech, Nigeria is on auto pilot dangerous navigating turbulence.

 

Does President Tinubu knows that Nigerians are suffering? Certainly not, his reckless economic policies, wasteful expenditures, plundering of resources, insensitivity to plights of citizens, boastful and egoistic squndering of goodwill, adoption of corruption and nepotism as state policies are the characteristics of this ignoble regime. Sacrifice should begin with @officialABAT and his jumbo size government, then Nigerians can take him serious, but for now it's mere rhetorics and propaganda.''

Media personality Gbemi has stated that marriage and kids are not for everyone. 

The media personality who noted that people should be left alone if they want that, also disclosed that she has friends who don’t want romantic relationships and they are wonderful people. 

Gbemi tweeted; 

“Leave people alone . Marriage and kids are not for everyone . I have dear friends who don’t want romantic relationships and they are wonderful people . A man or woman deciding not to marry or have children does not harm you in any way.”

One Ayandare Modupe, a finally year student of Adekunle Ajasin University, AAUA, Modupe Ayandare, has allegedly committed suicide.

The student was said to have taken her own life on Monday after she returned from a church vigil.

The tragic incident happened in Akungba-Akoko, headquarters of Akoko South West local government area of Ondo State where the university is located.

The deceased, who was the president of her department, Agronomy, was said to have taken her own life in an uncompleted building.

Noble Olaogbebikan, the Public Relations Officer of the institution’s student union, confirmed the incident. 

He disclosed Ayandare committed suicide in the early hours of Monday around 4 am at an uncompleted building that was close to the white garment church where she attended the vigil.

“We express in strong terms our dissatisfaction and agony with respect to the death of one of our students, Ayandare Modupe. A 500-level student of the Department of Agronomy (Agronomy Departmental President).

“The incident happened beside the church she attended around Sportless Villa. The law enforcement agency has already been informed, and all hands are on the desk to get to the root of the situation.”

Also, in another statement, the deceased’s department said: “We have lost one of our own, Comrade Modesty, who served as the President of the Department of Agronomy. Her passing, by suicide at Onireason Street’s permanent site, is a profound loss to us all.”

The Ondo State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, also confirmed development.

According to him, the deceased left a suicide note in her bag before the incident.

According to the police spokesperson, detectives had commenced an investigation to unravel the development

The Edo State Peoples Democratic Party has lambasted ex-deputy governor, Philip Shaibu, for describing the party’s governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo, as an outsider.

The PDP said it was contradictory for Shaibu to remain in the PDP and be demarketing the party’s governorship candidate, urging him to rather resign his membership.

Shaibu, a PDP member, declared on Sunday that he would be supporting the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Senator Monday Okpebholo, in the September 21 governorship election in the state.

He said while Okpebholo was a homeboy, who understood the challenges in the state, the PDP candidate, Ighodalo, was an outsider and a product of godfatherism.

“We don’t want an outsider. We have experimented with an outsider and it is not working, so this time, we want a homeboy. We have only two homeboys in the major political parties; one is in the Labour Party and one is in the All Progressives Congress.

“I chose to follow the homeboy in the APC. The man they are parading in the PDP is an outsider and we have also agreed that no more godfatherism in Edo. The man the PDP is parading is the godson of Obaseki and there is no way a godson can be governor of Edo State again,” Shaibu had said.

But reacting on Monday, the Deputy Director General of the media arm of the Edo PDP Governorship Campaign Council, Rev. Olu Martin, described Shaibu’s reason for supporting the APC candidate as baseless.

“Because the candidate didn’t grow up in Edo, doesn’t make him a stranger in his own state.

“I thought Shaibu would tell us that the candidate he wants to support has the capacity, intelligent, knack for excellence and smartnees, which are the hallmarks of a great leader,” Martin said in a voice note sent to journalists on Monday.

Martin added that it was contradictory for Shaibu to remain in the PDP and be working against the candidate of the party.

“The honourable thing he should have done is to resign from the PDP like others and support the APC candidate. His argument is that of weak people,” he said.

Shaibu contested but lost the PDP governorship ticket to Ighodalo, who has the backing of Governor Godwin Obaseki.

Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen would rather join one of his Premier League suitors that moved to PSG League, as the 25-year-old is set to leave Napoli this summer.

Arsenal and Chelsea have emerged as frontrunners for his signature, and the former Lille striker is eagerly awaiting calls from the duo, according to reports in Itlay.

PSG initially earmarked him as a replacement for Kylian Mbappe, who is on his way to Real Madrid, but according to Monday’s Corriere dello Sport, Osimhen is not interested in joining the French giants, being unconvinced about playing in Ligue 1. Instead, he considers the Premier League his dream destination, making Arsenal and Chelsea the favourites to land him ahead of the 2024–25 season.

Osimhen, who won the Serie A Golden Boot award in the 2022–23 season, signed a new contract with Napoli in December, which has a release clause reportedly set at €120–€130 million (£101 million).