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The Nigerian Navy has received three Agusta Westland 109 Trekker helicopters, purchased by the Ministry of Defence, in a handover ceremony held on November 12, 2024, in Lagos.

The Director of Naval Information, Commodore A. Adams-Aliu, confirmed the handover in a statement on Wednesday, noting that the event took place in Ikeja with the Chief of the Naval Staff and senior officers present to receive the helicopters.

According to Adams-Aliu, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, expressed gratitude to the Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru, and the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, for facilitating the acquisition.

He also thanked President Bola Tinubu for his continuous support to the Armed Forces and the Navy.

The new helicopters will enhance the Navy’s operational capacity, supporting activities such as air reconnaissance, search and rescue, air insertion, and medical evacuation (MEDEVAC).

Adams-Aliu highlighted the AW 109’s specifications, noting that the helicopters are configured for VIP use, with full leather interiors and noise-reduction systems.

The aircraft is equipped with landing skids for better load capacity and auxiliary tanks, extending its endurance to 3 hours and 40 minutes, enabling long-range transport flights. Additionally, the helicopters can be retrofitted with specialized mission equipment as required.

The Ogun State Government has disbursed N2.6 billion in gratuities to retired public primary school teachers and local government retirees for the fourth quarter of 2024.

The payment, facilitated by the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, was announced by the Permanent Secretary of the Bureau of Local Government Pensions, Olufisan Osiyale, at his office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, on Wednesday.

Osiyale stated that the disbursement reflects Governor Dapo Abiodun’s commitment to supporting senior citizens, particularly in light of current economic challenges. “We are fortunate to have Governor Dapo Abiodun, whose dedication to the welfare of people is unprecedented,” he said. “He believes that those who have served diligently during their active years should be well cared for in retirement.”

Osiyale encouraged the beneficiaries to maintain their health and adopt a moderate lifestyle, expressing hope that their support and prayers would show appreciation for the governor’s gesture.

Also speaking, Mrs. Caroline Oguntola, State Chairperson of the Retired Primary School Teachers Association of Nigeria (REPSTAN), praised Governor Abiodun for increasing retirees’ monthly pensions, paying gratuities, and providing subsidized rice. She urged the governor to continue his efforts in supporting retirees.

The Edo State Controller of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Martins Moye, has sounded an alarm over the growing number of irregular migrants entering Nigeria. He made this statement during the 2024 NIS enlightenment campaign against irregular migration held in Benin, the Edo State capital.

Moye emphasized the importance of public awareness in combating irregular migration and highlighted efforts by the NIS to address the issue.

Speaking at the event, David Amanahu, a facilitator from the NIS headquarters in Abuja, pointed out Edo State’s longstanding role in irregular migration patterns. He noted, however, that recent efforts by the Edo State Command have led to significant improvements, allowing the state to drop in national rankings for irregular migration.

“The positive news is that Edo State is no longer ranked number one in irregular migration,” Amanahu said, crediting the Edo team’s dedication in tackling the issue.

Delivering a message from the Controller-General of Immigration, Kemi Nandap, Amanahu also emphasized the NIS’s strengthened focus on border management and migration concerns.

The Diabetes Association of Nigeria (DAN) has raised alarm over an “existential threat” faced by six million Nigerians with diabetes due to skyrocketing healthcare costs.

In a statement marking United Nations World Diabetes Day, observed on November 14, DAN’s National President, Dr. Ejiofor Ugwu, noted that diabetes claims the lives of 30,000 to 40,000 Nigerians each year.

Dr. Ugwu highlighted that between 6 and 8 million Nigerians, approximately 5.7 percent of the population, are affected by diabetes, though this estimate may be low as two-thirds of cases remain undiagnosed due to a lack of routine screening.

“Diabetes kills an estimated 30,000 to 40,000 Nigerians annually,” Dr. Ugwu stated, adding that diabetes management in Nigeria faces numerous challenges, including widespread poverty, low awareness, a shortage of diabetes specialists, cultural and religious barriers, and insufficient care facilities.

According to Dr. Ugwu, the cost of diabetes medications and consumables has risen dramatically in the past year. He cited that the price of insulin, once around N4,000 per vial, now stands at approximately N18,000, a more than 400 percent increase, putting care out of reach for many patients. “This creates a significant barrier to optimal diabetes care in Nigeria, resulting in increased complications and premature deaths,” he said.

Dr. Ugwu urged the Federal Government to urgently subsidize diabetes medications and consumables to make them more affordable. Additionally, he called for a full tax waiver on the importation of diabetes-related medications and consumables and advocated for the reintroduction of a sugar-sweetened beverages tax—discontinued in June 2024—with revenues directed toward diabetes and non-communicable disease prevention.

Dr. Ugwu also emphasized the need for a national survey on non-communicable diseases, stating that reliable data would support informed healthcare policy-making in Nigeria.