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The Federal Government has approved a 50% electricity subsidy for public hospitals across Nigeria, according to Dr. Tunji Alausa, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare. This initiative aims to reduce operational costs for these facilities and alleviate financial burdens on patients.

Dr. Alausa made this announcement during his visit to the National Neo-Psychiatric Hospital in Barnawa, Kaduna, where he also inaugurated the Electronic Health Records system and Alternative Power Supply at the Lawal Jafaru Isah Emergency Complex.

In addition, the Minister launched a solarization project at the dialysis unit, featuring a solar-powered borehole and a 10.2 KVA inverter equipped with a lithium battery at the Abdulkareem Jika Yusuf COVID-19 Intervention Centre.

Dr. Alausa also announced plans to rebrand Federal Hospitals as Specialist Hospitals to expand care delivery and reduce stigma, allowing for the continuous expansion of services while maintaining core psychiatric services.

The Minister expressed his trust in Dr. Aishatu Yusha’u Armiyau, the Chief Medical Director of the Hospital, citing the institution’s achievements as a testament to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s campaign commitments.

During his visit to the National Eye Care Centre, Dr. Alausa inaugurated the Dr. G.O Adejor Optical Showroom and the Dr. M.B Alhassan Diagnostic and Laser Unit, but noted that the ongoing warning strike by Resident Doctors is hindering efforts to secure the release of kidnapped physician, Ganiyat Popoola.

Dr. Alausa urged patience and reassured the hospital administration that the abducted doctor would be returned shortly, and outlined plans to engage with medical personnel abroad about the significant migration of medical professionals to other countries.

Despite inherited structural challenges, the Minister affirmed that President Tinubu is in active discussions with state governments to enhance initiatives related to Health Science Universities, aiming to increase annual health sciences enrollment from 24,000 to 100,000.

Earlier, Dr. Aminatu Abdulrahman, Acting Chief Medical Director of the National Eye Centre, highlighted the centre’s specialized eye care services, training, and research opportunities, established in 1979.

“Kidnapping Epidemic: 27 Nigerian States Record Ransom Payments”

A recent report by SBM Intelligence on Nigeria’s security landscape reveals a disturbing trend of widespread kidnapping-for-ransom activities across most states in the country.

Between July 2023 and July 2024, 27 out of 36 states recorded ransom payments to kidnappers, leaving only nine states ransom-free.

The nine states that have remained ransom-free are Lagos, Kano, Sokoto, Oyo, Gombe, Taraba, Bayelsa, Bauchi, and Kebbi. This indicates that the majority of Nigerian states are grappling with the challenge of kidnapping-for-ransom.

The report highlights the alarming scale of ransom payments, with Anambra state recording the highest ransom payment of N350 million, followed by Rivers state with N67.7 million, Nasarawa with N55.5 million, and Borno with N34.2 million.

According to the report, a total of 7,568 people were abducted across the country between July 2023 and July 2024. This staggering number underscores the severity of the kidnapping crisis in Nigeria.

The report identifies several factors contributing to the insecurity, including Boko Haram’s resurgence in the Northeast, armed gangs in the Northcentral and Northwest, secessionist violence in the Southeast, and gang-related issues in the Southwest.

The kidnappers demanded a total of N10,995,090,000 (approximately $6,871,931) as ransom but

Tragedy struck on August 28, 2024, when Halliru Liman, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Wasagu Division in Kebbi state, was brutally shot and killed by a soldier at a checkpoint in Zamfara state.

According to Yazid Abubakar, spokesman for the Zamfara State Police Command, Liman was on his way to attend a crucial meeting in Birnin Kebbi, the capital of Kebbi state, when he was stopped by military personnel at Danmarke area in Bukkuyum Local Government Area of Zamfara state.

Despite clearly identifying himself as a police officer, Liman was murdered on the spot by the military personnel, led by one Hassan, attached to Operation Hadarin Daji (OPHD) Sector 6.

The circumstances surrounding this heinous crime are alarming and unacceptable, and the police command has demanded a thorough investigation to ensure those responsible are brought to book.

The Zamfara State Police Command has condemned the incident in the strongest terms, describing it as a senseless and unwarranted attack on a law enforcement officer.

The command’s spokesperson, Yazid Abubakar, released a statement on Thursday, calling for a full-scale investigation into the incident to unravel the circumstances surrounding Liman’s death.

The police command is urging the relevant authorities to take immediate action to ensure that justice is served and that those responsible for Liman’s murder are held accountable.

The incident has sparked outrage and concern among law enforcement agencies and the general public, and there are calls for greater collaboration and coordination between security agencies to prevent such incidents in the future.

A Texas court has convicted Olukayode Ojo, a 36-year-old Nigerian Pilot, of providing false information to obtain a certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). As a result, he is now facing a five-year prison sentence.

Leading Reporters gathered that after his guilty verdict, US District Judge Jodi Dishman ordered the detention of the Nigerian pilot until his sentencing.

US Attorney Robert Troester released a statement on the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) website announcing the conviction of Olukayode Ojo. According to the statement, Ojo was found guilty on August 16, 2024, for making false statements in an attempt to obtain a medical certificate required to pilot a commercial passenger aircraft.

Troester noted that the case was part of an investigation by the Transportation Security Administration—Investigations and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jackson Eldridge and Matt Dillon.

He said, “On June 4, 2024, a federal jury returned a two-count superseding indictment against Ojo, charging him with two counts of making a false statement. On August 16, 2024, a federal jury found Ojo guilty on both counts.

“Evidence presented at trial indicated that Ojo, an FAA-certified commercial airline pilot, pleaded guilty to two misdemeanour theft charges on February 8, 2023, in Kentucky state court in connection with a theft of passenger luggage from the baggage carousels at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.

“Ojo then made false statements to the FAA in March 2023 and March 2024 while applying for an FAA First Class Medical Certificate to conceal his history of prior criminal convictions. A First Class Medical Certificate permits an airman to pilot commercial passenger aircraft.”

The convict faces a potential sentence of up to five years in federal prison, along with fines of up to $250,000 for each count.

Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, has been sworn in as the 32nd President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in a ceremony held in Lagos, marking the beginning of his tenure.

Osigwe takes over from Mr. Yakubu Maikyau, SAN, whose term as President of the NBA has come to an end.

In his inaugural address, Osigwe outlined his vision for the NBA, emphasizing the importance of accountability and transparency in governance.

He stated that his administration will hold both federal and state governments accountable, ensuring that they uphold the rule of law and act with transparency.

Osigwe’s commitment to promoting good governance and upholding the principles of justice marks a new chapter for the NBA, as it continues to play a vital role in Nigeria’s legal and political landscape.