Economy
World Bank: Reliable Power Crucial To Robust Healthcare Delivery
World Bank: Reliable Power Crucial To Robust Healthcare Delivery
World Bank: Reliable power crucial to robust healthcare delivery. Mr Verghis highlighted several World Bank-supported initiatives aimed at electrifying healthcare facilities in Nigeria.
The World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Mathew Verghis, has emphasised that reliable electricity is essential for resilient and efficient healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday, through his representative, Vinay Vurukutu, at the opening of the first National Stakeholders’ Dialogue on Power in the Health Sector, Mr Verghis stressed the importance of clean, stable electricity in healthcare operations.
The two-day event, themed “Powering Health through Public-Private Synergy: Energising Nigeria’s Health Sector for the Future”, brought together stakeholders to explore sustainable energy solutions for health institutions.
Mr Verghis highlighted several World Bank-supported initiatives aimed at electrifying healthcare facilities in Nigeria.
He cited the Nigeria Electrification Programme, which has provided electricity to 100 health centres across all 36 states and two university teaching hospitals.
He said, “The second initiative, the IMPACT Project, is a $650 million credit facility supporting improvements in immunisation and maternal-child health, including the provision of renewable energy to over 2,000 primary healthcare centres nationwide.
“The third, the DARES Project, is a $750 million initiative designed to scale up access to electricity through distributed solar rooftop systems, currently being piloted in health facilities across Lagos State.’’
He noted that early results from those projects showed improved working conditions for medical staff, increased patient access, and reductions in infant and maternal mortality.
“The World Bank remains committed to supporting Nigeria in transforming today’s power challenges into tomorrow’s opportunities for every citizen,” Mr Verghis said.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Power, Mahmuda Mamman, stated that unreliable electricity threatened healthcare delivery, delayed essential procedures, and increased operational costs.
He reaffirmed the ministry’s goal of providing uninterrupted, clean, and affordable power to all health institutions.
Mr Mamman highlighted key initiatives, including the Nigerian Energy Transition Plan, decentralised solar power systems, rural electrification, and public building energy efficiency programmes.
In her remarks, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom, said the dialogue aligned with the government’s mission to ensure quality healthcare for all Nigerians, regardless of location.
She said, “Power in health is not just an infrastructure issue; it’s a matter of life, dignity, and hope.’’

World Bank: Reliable Power Crucial To Robust Healthcare Delivery
Ms Kachollom also announced that a key outcome of the event would be the signing of a historic multi-stakeholder compact.
“This agreement aims to unite the government, development partners, the private sector, civil society, and innovators in a shared commitment.
The goal of the compact is to ensure that no health facility in Nigeria is left in the dark by providing sustainable and reliable power to support effective healthcare delivery across the country,” said Ms Kachollom.
The dialogue will explore innovative financing, scale climate-smart energy solutions, strengthen governance, and prioritise rural and underserved communities.
Economy
Lagos Assembly Strongly Seeks Suspension Of Makoko Demolition
Lagos Assembly Strongly Seeks Suspension Of Makoko Demolition
Lagos assembly strongly seeks suspension of Makoko demolition. The Lagos state house of assembly has called for the suspension of demolition activities in Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro waterfront communities following protests by displaced residents and growing public concern over the exercise.
The call was announced on Tuesday by Noheem Adams, chairman of an ad hoc committee set up by Mudashiru Obasa, speaker of the house, during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Lateef Jakande auditorium.
Adams called on all state ministries to cease demolition work and promised compensation to the affected residents.
“On behalf of the speaker and all 40 members of the house, we are directing that all demolitions in Makoko, Oko-Agbon, and Shogunro communities should stop from today until further notice,” New Telegraph quoted Adams as saying.
He called for transparency by demanding the full list of taskforce members and the criteria used for engagement, insisting that residents must be actively involved in the process.
“That the taskforce that was constituted, we want to see the list of the taskforce because we want the residents to be duly involved and to be carried along. So we want to have the schedule of those task forces and the criteria for those that we are inviting,” Adams added.

Lagos Assembly
“To the residents of Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro communities, as your representatives, we are giving you all assurances that they will stop demolitions henceforth and there will be compensations for all those whose properties have been demolished.”
Stephen Ogundipe, member of the ad-hoc, said there is need for clear communication, adding that residents targeted for relocation or redevelopment must be informed of the government’s plans in advance.
Babatunde Olajide, special adviser to governor of Lagos on E-GIS and urban renewal, confirmed that $2 million had been earmarked since 2021 to transform Makoko into a modern, internationally compliant water city.
He said enumeration of affected properties is underway and reiterated the administration’s commitment to handling the situation with a human face, prioritizing resident safety and fair compensation.
Yusuf Sagra, baale of Makoko, described the assembly’s decision as a “word of peace,” while Orioye Ogungbure, another leader of the community, praised the “democratic responsiveness” of the government.
Crime
EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video
EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video
EFCC arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for alleged naira mutilation in viral video. The Kano Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 arrested a Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa over alleged Naira mutilation.
Inuwa was arrested following a viral video circulated on social media platforms where she was seen conspicuously cleaning mucus from her nose using Naira notes.

EFCC
Following the release of the viral video, the Commission swung into action by tracing and subsequently arrested her to answer questions.
She is currently being held at the Commission’s detention facility while investigation is ongoing.
The suspect will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.
Dele Oyewale
Head, Media & Publicity
February 3, 2026
Economy
Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime
Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime
Access Bank gets new board chair Ifeyinwa Osime. Access Bank Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as chair of the board of directors, following the retirement of Paul Usoro, on January 29.
Access Bank Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as chair of the board of directors, following the retirement of Paul Usoro, on January 29, according to a statement to the Nigerian Exchange Ltd. on Monday.
Ms Osime, a legal practitioner, joined Access Bank’s board in November 2019 as an independent non-executive director and had chaired its Human Resources and Sustainability Committee and the Governance, Nomination, and Remuneration Committee. This role made her contribute significantly to the bank’s corporate governance, leadership development, and sustainability initiatives.
Additionally, Ms Osime is a director at Ebudo Trust Ltd. and a partner at McPherson Legal Practitioners, where she advises on corporate and commercial matters and contributes to strategic leadership.
She is also a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the Women Corporate Directors, Nigeria Chapter, and the Chartered Institute of Directors, Nigeria, where she serves on the Executive Committee of the Women Sectoral Group.

Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime
Beyond her professional responsibilities, Ms Osime is committed to mentoring youths and is actively involved in the Autism and Developmental Delays Support Community, reflecting her dedication to inclusion and social impact.
Speaking on her appointment, the group chairman, Aigboje Aig-lmoukhuede, said, “Mrs Osime is a principled and experienced leader with a deep understanding of the Bank’s strategy and values.
“She has demonstrated strong commitment to the bank’s vision and mission, and I am confident that, under her leadership, the bank will continue to advance its strategic objectives of delivering sustainable value to shareholders and other stakeholders in the pursuit of its vision to become the world’s most respected African bank.”
Mr Aig-lmoukhuede also congratulated Mr Usoro on the completion of his tenure and on his exemplary leadership, dedication, and significant contributions to the group, saying he remains a valued member of the Access family.
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