Nelson Ugwuagbo

President Bola Tinubu has approved an increase in the retirement age for doctors and other healthcare workers from 60 to 65 years.

The National Publicity Secretary of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Mannir Bature, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Lagos. He said the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, has been directed to formally present the approval to the Council on Establishment through the Office of the Head of Service for finalization.

The policy shift was conveyed during a high-level meeting between the NMA President, Prof. Bala Audu, and key stakeholders, including the Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN), the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), and the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU). Discussions focused on the welfare of healthcare professionals and ongoing reforms in the sector.

Bature stated that the minister confirmed the approval of arrears from the adjustment of the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), with secured funds set for disbursement soon. Additionally, Tinubu approved corrections to consequential adjustments for both CONMESS and the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) following the implementation of the new minimum wage.

The government has also approved new tariffs for healthcare service providers, particularly benefiting members of the Association of Nigerian Private Medical Practitioners and Nurses (ANPMPN), to enhance financial sustainability in the sector.

Prof. Pate expressed appreciation for the patience and collaboration of stakeholders and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving healthcare workers’ welfare. He emphasized that strengthening Nigeria’s health sector requires collective efforts.

The NMA has long advocated for extending the retirement age to address brain drain, facilitate knowledge transfer, and enhance healthcare delivery.

A trader identified as Ifeanyi was killed on Wednesday following a fight with another trader, Eze, over a selling space at Utako Market, Abuja.

The dispute, which began as an argument between the two underwear sellers, escalated into a physical altercation in the early hours of the morning. Witnesses said Ifeanyi slumped and died during the fight, causing panic in the market.

Eze has been arrested and is currently in custody at the Utako Police Division. A police source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the incident is being treated as a murder case and will be transferred to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command for further investigation.

The body of the deceased has been deposited in the mortuary.

President Bola Tinubu has departed Abuja for Paris, France, on a private visit, his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, announced on Wednesday.

According to Onanuga, Tinubu’s trip to France is en route to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where he will join African leaders for the 46th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council and the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union (AU) Heads of State, scheduled from February 12 to 16, 2025.

During his stay in France, Tinubu is also expected to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron.

The presidential spokesperson confirmed that Tinubu would arrive in Addis Ababa early next week for the AU summit.

A fire outbreak at an Islamic school in Kaura-Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State has claimed the lives of at least 17 Almajiri students, with 16 others sustaining injuries.

The fire, which broke out late Tuesday night, raged for about three hours, leaving devastating destruction in its wake. Eyewitnesses said the blaze originated from stored sticks, locally known as kara, within the school premises.

A resident, Abdulrasaq Bello Kaura, told Channels Television that the incident occurred at Makaranta Mallam Ghali inside the school’s study hall. He recounted that there were about 100 students in the building at the time, and while many were evacuated, it was only after the fire subsided that the remains of the victims were discovered.

“They thought all the students had been safely removed, but after the fire, they began seeing legs and hands. The victims were burnt beyond recognition,” he said.

The 17 deceased students were buried on Wednesday.

Confirming the incident, the Chairman of Kaura-Namoda Local Government, Comrade Mannir Muazu Haidara, said he was on his way to the scene and would provide further details later.

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved N1.334 trillion for the construction of the Calabar-Akwa Ibom section of the Lagos-Calabar road. This decision marks the commencement of the second phase of the project, aimed at improving interstate connectivity and facilitating smoother travel across the regions.

The 65-kilometer stretch from Calabar to Akwa Ibom, as well as another 65-kilometer segment between Lagos and Ogun states, will be covered under this phase of the project.

In addition to the Calabar-Akwa Ibom section, the FEC also approved several other significant road construction projects aimed at improving national infrastructure. These include the Access Road to Delta State, the Second Niger Bridge in Anambra State, the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway (Phase 2, Section 1), the reconstruction of the Lokoja-Benin Road, the Ado-Ekiti–Igede Road Project, and the Onitsha-Owerri Expressway.

Other road projects approved include the Wusasa-Jos route in Kaduna State and the Abuja-Kano Highway, which will be divided into two sections and constructed using concrete technology.

The approvals were announced in a post by the Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, on February 4, 2025.

As preparations intensify for the November 8, 2025, governorship election in Anambra State, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, has called on party members in the state to use their financial resources to strengthen the party rather than cause divisions.

Ganduje made the appeal on Tuesday in Abuja while receiving an APC youth group, Booth to Booth with Bola Tinubu.

He urged party stakeholders in Anambra to create a conducive environment for a smooth primary election and emphasized the need for unity.

“As a party, if we are to have a credible primary in the state, all our stakeholders must be committed to progress. There have been issues of litigations and court orders in the past, but this time, things must be different,” Ganduje said.

“We know they are wealthy, but they should not use their money to destabilize the state. Instead, they should invest in strengthening the APC to ensure its success,” he added.

The APC chairman also expressed support for a consensus candidate, saying, “I would be highly impressed if they can produce a candidate through consensus. If they achieve this, I will give them an award.”

On the mode of the party’s primary election in Anambra, Ganduje stated that the APC National Working Committee (NWC) would meet with the state chapter and other stakeholders before making a final decision.

Meanwhile, the leader of Booth to Booth with Bola Tinubu, Iyke Madu, urged the party leadership to adopt the indirect primary method, citing security concerns in Anambra.

He highlighted past irregularities in the 2021 primary election, where results were allegedly manipulated, leading to a poor performance in the main election.

“We are here to request a credible, free, and transparent primary election in Anambra State. The pitfalls of 2021 must be avoided,” Madu said.

He also raised concerns over the rumored plan to conduct direct primaries, warning that insecurity in Anambra could pose significant challenges.

“If the state government has been unable to conduct local government elections due to insecurity, it will be difficult for a party that does not control the state to organize direct primaries,” he argued.

Madu called for an indirect primary where delegates would convene at a designated venue, preferably with the process televised on national media, to ensure transparency and credibility.

The APC leadership is expected to deliberate on the concerns raised before finalizing the primary election format for Anambra State.

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has announced plans to host a major concert featuring his cousin, renowned Afrobeats artist David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, as part of initiatives to enhance tourism in the state. The governor revealed this during an interview on Channels Television’s Political Paradigm, emphasizing the event’s potential to attract visitors and showcase Osun’s cultural vibrancy.

This announcement comes shortly after the 67th Grammy Awards, where Davido was nominated in the Best African Music Performance category but lost to fellow Nigerian artist Tems. Tems secured the award for her song “Love Me JeJe,” surpassing other notable nominees, including Yemi Alade, Burna Boy, and Wizkid.

Despite the Grammy outcome, Davido continues to receive widespread acclaim for his contributions to the global Afrobeats movement. His involvement in the upcoming Osun concert underscores his commitment to leveraging his musical influence to support local initiatives and promote cultural tourism.

Governor Adeleke’s collaboration with Davido aligns with previous efforts to celebrate significant milestones through music. Following Adeleke’s affirmation as governor by the Supreme Court in May 2023, Davido proposed hosting a “Timeless” concert in Osun State to commemorate the victory.

The planned concert is anticipated to draw significant attention, offering a platform to highlight Osun State’s rich cultural heritage and stimulate economic activity through increased tourism. Further details regarding the event’s date, venue, and lineup are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.